Monday 24 / November / 2025
Muscat – Oman Sail’s Performance Team successfully competed in the 39th MSA–NSC–MILO National Open Championship 2025, a major multi-class ranking regatta in Langkawi, Malaysia that attracted strong national and international fleets. The championship comprised 12 races in both the ILCA 4, ILCA 6, ILCA 7 and 29er classes, challenging the sailors with a variety of wind and sea conditions.
Overall, the team achieved a solid performance, gaining valuable international experience, particularly for the first-time participants, and demonstrating significant progress in line with Oman Sail’s long-term competitive pathway towards the 2026 Asian Games and the second edition of the Arab Sailing Championship for Women will take place in Kuwait from December 2 to 5, 2025.
The 29er Team made their international debut at this regatta and despite this being their first international outing, the teams gained valuable exposure and learning in crucial areas such as full-fleet racing, tactical positioning, high-pressure boat-handling, and effective fleet covering on both upwind and downwind legs. Tamim Al Balushi and Saleh Al Balushi finished in 4th place, while Soud Al Shaqsi and Firas Al Nabhani secured 5th place overall.
The Asyad ILCA 4 squad also delivered a strong campaign, demonstrating their ability to adapt to shifting wind conditions, manage fleet interaction, and maintain competitive boat speed. Abdulatif Al Qasmi achieved a podium finish, taking 3rd place, while Hassan Al Wahaibi and Aws Al Busaidi finished in 13th place and 14th place, respectively.
In the ILCA 6 Women’s competition, Ibtisam Al Salmi finished in 8th place after showing notable improvement throughout the championship and achieving multiple top-three race finishes. Hussain Al Jabri, competing in the highly competitive ILCA 7 fleet which included Asian-level sailors from Malaysia and Chinese Taipei, maintained steady top 10 results, finishing in 8th place overall.
Hashim Al Rashdi, Oman Sail’s Head Coach Performance, said, "This championship was an important marker for our long-term competitive pathway, especially as we look ahead to the 2026 Asian Games. The entire Performance Team showed tremendous spirit, and securing a podium finish in ILCA 4 and delivering strong top-five results in the 29er class—in their first international outing—is highly encouraging.
“The experience gained in managing full-fleet pressure, adapting to varied conditions, and tactical decision-making will be invaluable. We leave Malaysia with a clear understanding of our strengths, such as our improved boat handling, and a focused plan to address areas like start-line execution and race endurance, ensuring we continue to build fast, effective, and confident sailors," he added.
The 39th MSA-NSC-MILO National Open Championship 2025 was held at the National Sailing Centre, Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia and organised by the Kedah Sailing Association with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Ministry of Education under the auspices of the National Sport Council and the Malaysian Sailing Association (MSA).
