India, Nov. 5 -- A couple of years ago, a kid in a small coastal town in Maharashtra's Raigad district had no idea about sailing as a sport.

In March 2025, that kid turned up for her first competition, a humble domestic meet in Goa's Morjim.

In November 2026, that kid is set to represent India at the Youth Olympic Games in Senegal's Dakar.

That kid is 14-year-old Priyanshi Patil, the only Indian sailor at the Games who will compete in the women's windsurfing event beginning November 8.

"When I started," Priyanshi told HT, "I did not know that I would reach so far."

And so soon. For someone who began windsurfing training only in February 2025, Priyanshi's growth - without proper equipment and finances initially and a full-time coach s...