Saturday 04 / May / 2024
Muscat: The Arabian Gulf will be showcased as race track when the fleet of the 2017 EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour (SATT) sets sail from Almouj Muscat, Oman’s lifestyle destination, on Tuesday bound for some of the region’s most challenging waters and spectacular cities.
As the only annual event in the world to offer a mix of inshore and offshore competition, the stakes are high for the eight skippers and their crews but for the organisers, Oman Sail, the 763nm race offers the chance to roll out the red carpet for the teams and their supporters to highlight the region’s vast array of natural and cultural assets.
Oman Sail and its partners have put together an eye-catching range of activities from a tour round Muscat’s stunning Al Bustan Palace to some lively and fun beach clean ups and the CEO Challenge in Doha for captains of industry who want a slice of the competitive inport action.
Almouj Muscat will host the start with officials at four stopovers in Sohar, Khasab, Doha and Abu Dhabi competing for the honour of who can deliver the warmest welcome.
The opening ceremony at Almouj Muscat will set the scene when the SATT skippers are introduced for the first time against a backdrop of Oman’s lifestyle destination before receiving a flag from the guest of honour, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ahead of the first inport race.
Nasser bin Masoud Al Sheibani, CEO, Almouj Muscat said: “The premium race EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2017 is a great opportunity for us to showcase the tourism potential of Oman. While the mix of professional, amateur sailors and crew participating in the race from across the globe have been spreading the good word about Oman, the international media coverage has always been complimentary.
"The route makes it possible for sailors to discover Oman’s natural beauty during the race. The starting point at Al Mouj Marina offers stunning view of our marina front properties, blue waters and enroute the Majestic mountains.”
He added: “We are delighted to be part of this top-notch event with Al Mouj Marina chosen as a venue. Home to Oman Sail, Almouj Marina, our premier marina facility has 124 modern floating marina berths, the first of 400, accommodating yachts from 10 to 40 metres. Understanding that tourism is a key contributor to the GDP, Almouj Muscat Oman’s premier lifestyle destination has always been organising and hosting international sport events.
"Almouj Marina, of course, has been providing an international focus to Oman by regularly attracting elite international sailing events.”
The importance of protecting the beauty and resources of the coast and waters around the Gulf will be given a full airing in a segment devoted to marine conservation focussing on beach clean ups in Khasab and Muscat in partnership with Averda, the integrated waste management company, with the support of the Environmental Society of Oman (ESO).
In Sohar, at the end of the first leg, crews will be treated to a cultural day at the International Maritime College Oman where traditional Omani food will be served and traditional dances performed to the accompaniment of traditional folk songs and music.
Dr Hilal Al Hadhrami, Dean of the International Maritime College Oman (IMCO), said it was an honour to host the stopover. “Having participated in SATT 2015 as a competitor, IMCO was, and still is enthused by the event,” he said.
“It brings together top sailors from around the globe and provides the region with a perfect platform to showcase the beauty and hospitality of the region. Although IMCO has been unable to compete since 2015, we eagerly await the event and are very proud to be able to participate in a small manner and support the sailors during the Sohar stopover. 2017 is no different and we look forward to the excitement of the race, thrills and spills, interaction with old friends and meeting new participants. We wish every team the best of luck and fair winds. May the best team win,” Dr. Al Hadhrami added.
At Khasab, at the end of the second leg, the fleet will be welcomed by Sayyid Khalifa bin Al Murdas Al Busaidi, Governor of Musandam at the Khasab Castle, and again treated to a spread of Oman’s best cuisine. By then, the 2017 form guide will be taking shape with points accrued from 245 offshore miles and three inport races and the leaders already will be working out ways to protect their positions in the next 153 nms leg to Abu Dhabi.
The luxurious Emirates Palace Marina will be their hosts in Abu Dhabi where a group of local school kids get the chance to board a sailing boat, one of the identical fleet of Farr 30s, and meet members of the crews. A prize-giving, handing out awards from Leg 2 and 3 will add extra glamour to a special dinner, and give motivation to the entire fleet and the wider sailing community.
In Doha, at the end of Leg 4 some 400 miles into the race, the second round of inport races will take place, which potentially could turn the leaderboard on its head and transform the race.
The first of the three in-ports will be the annual CEO Challenge Race where the heads of some of the region’s leading companies race as guests on board the boats, with the winner earning an award at the prize-giving later in the day. The stopover is hosted by The Pearl-Qatar, a man-made island in the heart of Doha’s West Bay which has become the city’s premier waterfront development.
Tensions will be mounting when the crews slip anchor in Doha and head back out to the Straits of Hormuz for the last and the longest leg of the race. This final opportunity to earn offshore points is bound to lead to a highly tactical exercise but at the 203 nms slog, through oil fields and fishing fleets, the most welcome sight of the race will loom into view – the magnificent Palm Jumeirah.
As part of the world’s largest man-made island, which is shaped like a palm tree, the Nakheel West Marina will provide the platform for a spectacular 2017 EFG Sailing Arabia -The Tour finale kicking off with three nerve jangling in port races followed by a glittering prize giving ceremony where the 2017 champions will be crowned.
