Sports | Thursday 10 November, 2016 4:01 pm |

 Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nehayan, Chairman of the Sailing and Rowing Federation was joined by Ahmed Obaid Al Falasi, Executive Director of Human Resources, Finance and Administration Division, of Dubai Customs and Khalifa Hareb, General Manager of the Fishing Harbours today greeted the skippers and their first mate along with the 43 children from the Gems Sohar Education Programme.

The ceremony at the Umm Suqueim 1 Fishing Harbour, which will host the race village until the 13th November, was attended by friends and family of the 151 crew on 21 boats, including one from Kuwait, two professionally crewed Farr 30 from Oman Sail and the Pindar Volvo 60.

World famous offshore and multihull sailor from France,  Sidney Gavignet will skipper EFG Bank Monaco from Oman Sail. Sidney holds the single handed world record for Round Britain and Ireland.  Also for Oman Sail,  Rennnaisance will be skippered by Fahad Al Hasni with a fully Omani crew. Three of the Renaissance crew, Fahad, Sami Al Shukaili and Yasser Al Arabi currently hold the world record for Round Great Britain and Ireland. Sidney said “We have four sailing instructors that we are introducing to offshore sailing, so we are looking for adventure on a course we know well and we shall enjoy the Musandam scenery. It’s great to know we shall be competing against our fully Omani crewed boat, which for me as their mentor is very special. Being part of the Dubai of the Dubai to Muscat race we cannot miss. It was an easy decision to make to join the two most active sailing countries in the region together.

 The Pindar Volvo 60 boasts 5 crew who have flown in from UK, Gibraltar and Geneva, including Karolina Adamczyk – living in London and Swedish Doctor Anna Cerne, who a doctor living in Gibraltar. Said Karolina “It’s a great adventure and we have a lovely team, training with a team ranging from 14 to 70 years old.”

Also returning to Dubai for the race is Rob Weight from Perth Australia and Roy Froud from the UK. Both. sailing on Omnia.

The race, which attracts sailors from all over the world and is the only Royal Offshore Racing Club recognised offshore race in the Middle East and North Africa region, is more than 300 nautical miles non-stop to Muscat.

This year in particular, the competition is fierce, with professional sailors mixed with experienced club sailors. Many have expressed their hopes for strong winds.  Tom Way, skipper of the Pindar Volvo 60 stated clearly, “We need a strong wind to move, and if we get it we would really like to break the current record.”

The Dubai to Muscat yacht race record was broken in 2013, for the first time in 13 years, and was smashed the following year by two boats.  Current record holder is Doug Hassell in Diablo, Commodore of the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club.

Following the farewell ceremony for the skippers, the parade of boats left the docks heading to the start line.

Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan said “We are so proud that the race endures and it is thanks to the collaboration of Dubai Customs, Dubai Offshore Sailing Club and Al Mouj Marina that the build up to this race has proven so successful.  All of this is thanks to the sponsorship and support and of Dubai Customs and we thank them for their role in this most prestigious race in the region.”

 

Ahmed Obaid Al Falasi, Executive Director of Human Resources, Finance and Administration Division of Dubai Customs, commented: “Dubai Customs is pleased to have been a principal sponsor of the prestigious Dubai to Muscat Yacht Race which celebrates its silver anniversary this year. We are committed to our partnership with UAE Sailing & Rowing Federation to help them organize a successful race. They have our support  by making available all necessary requirements and facilities at Dubai Customs’ Umm Suqueim 1 Fishing Harbour which has been hosting educational and entertainment activities for school students and visitors as part of the race’s 25th  edition.”

Dubai Customs’ newly-revamped infrastructure at the Fishing Harbour have been put at the disposal of the Dubai to Muscat Race organizing committee to ensure smooth and efficient organization of the event and its parallel programs, he added.

“We are particularly proud that Dubai Customs  has been a key part of the exciting program of community events organized from September to November in conjunction with the Dubai to Muscat Yacht Race. The Umm Suqeim Fishing Harbour is hosting the Dubai to Muscat Race Village which caters to the visiting boats and racers, and welcomes members of the community interested to know more about sailing sports, but more importantly will be the stage of so many children’s activities, including the education program, facilitated by Gems Education.”

 

The race village from 10th November to the 13th November, will include Try Sailing, Safety demonstrations, a dhow, and many children’s activities, trendy food trucks and is free to enter.

The race village will also be the centre of activity for the children of Gems who have taken part in the Sohar Education Programme. Each sponsor has taught the children elements of their own expertise and the last session will be Dubai Customs own lesson on Monday 14th November, teaching marina and fishing management.