Saturday 07 / September / 2024
Doha: EFG Bank has once again clinched the overall victory in the inshore races in Doha, dealing a huge blow to its competitors in the Sailing Arabia - The Tour (SATT).
Team Averda took the lead in the first Doha inshore race while Zain Sailing team followed leaving EFG Bank in third. EFG Bank then was able to come in first place in the second inshore race and Renaissance Services jumped from fourth to second position while Al Mouj clinched the third.
The third and final race saw Almouj grab the top spot leaving EFG Bank trailing behind and Team Averda following them.
EFG's tactics and strategy helped them come out on top at the end of the three inport races with an overall score of 1.25 while Almouj and Team Averda tied for second place with 2.25 points leaving Renaissance Services following behind them with 3.00 points.
"It's a very interesting inshore race here in Doha and there was a lot of fight. We had wind up to 15 knots in the end so it was quite dynamic and we got lucky enough to win today," said EFG Bank Skipper Sidney Gavignet.
Speaking ahead of the Doha-Khasab leg, Gavignet said: "Tomorrow is a long race which would take probably three nights. I'm getting more and more confident and since this is my fourth tour I think we have the best team with this new crew."
Marcel Herrera, Skipper of team Averda commented about their tie in points with Al Mouj and when asked about their ambition to surpass EFG Bank he said: "To be honest the points are what matters, it doesn't matter if we are first, second or third so we'll let them take the medals for the inshore racing and we'll take the points that is just the same as the overall standing, that's our focus."
So far Sailing Arabia - The Tour 2016 is proving to be a closely-contested race with EFG Bank, Team Averda, Renaissance Services and Almouj the teams to watch.
On Monday the teams head on to the their third offshore race to Khasab from Doha which is 240nm (444.48 km) where it could take two to three nights to complete.
Overall standings: 1. EFG Bank Monaco (MON); 2. Team Averda (GBR); 3. Renaissance Services (OMA); 4. Almouj (OMA); 5. Team Zain (KWT); 6. TU Delft Challenge (NED); 7. Team Bienne Voile (SUI); 8. Oman Airports - Thuraya Women's Team (OMA); 9. Team Mangold (GER).
