Bank of Beirut Chairmans Cup from Muscat to Khasab, Oman
by Louay Habib 29 Nov 2011 19:46 GMT
28 November 2011
Saleem Q. Al Zawawi, Chairman of the Muscat Regatta © Steve Barber / Muscat Regatta
Last night shortly before 2:30 am, two Farr 30s from Oman Sail approached the finish line of the 240 mile Chairman's Cup Race locked in a titanic struggle. The two yachts were match racing to the finish, each one of them snatching the lead in a duel to the end. After over 62 hours of racing, the line honours winner was only decided on the last tack. Oman Sail 4 steered by Ahmed Al Marmari crossed the line just one minute ahead of Oman Sail 5 steered by Abdalah Al Farsi claiming line honours in The Bank of Beirut Chairman's Cup and victory in the Farr 30 Class.
However, neither of the two Farr 30s dueling at the finish could have been aware of another nail biting finish. Three hours later, Boracic skippered by Calum McKie, the Vice Commodore of the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club led his team to the line. After time correction, Boracic had the quickest elapsed time by the slender margin of just one minute and fifteen seconds and were therefore declared overall winners of The Bank of Beirut Chairman’s Cup.
At the prize giving, Saleem Q. Al Zawawi, Chairman of the Muscat Regatta welcomed the guest of honour, His Excellency Sayyid Khalifa bin al Mirdas bin Ahmed al-Busaidi, the Governor of Musandam and gave his closing speech.
“Many congratulations to all of the participants that have taken part, I would like to thank all of our sponsors for their support. Especially our title sponsor, The Bank of Beirut for their overwhelming generosity in providing a cash prize of US$50,000.
I would also congratulate the race organizing committee, GWM Racing, the Royal Oman Police Coastguard, the Royal Navy of Oman and the Ministry of Sports Affairs. They have provided well-managed and secure racing. Their work behind the scenes to ensure safe passage should not go unnoticed. It is with great pleasure that I see sailors from abroad competing together with many Omani sailors. The race is now firmly established in the sailing calendar with strong support from the Ministry of Tourism.
I would like to make a special mention to competitors from the United Arab Emirates and I would urge you all to encourage your friends to take part next year. Oman Sail have indicated that there will be a far larger number of Farr 30s racing next year and we have received a very positive response from supporting partners in both the public and the private sector. With all of your support, we can firmly establish a superb offshore race to this spectacular location.”
After the prize giving crew and honoured guests were invited to a sumptuous banquet at the Golden Tulip Resort, a fabulous setting with panoramic views across the famed Musandam Peninsular.
Saleem Q. Al Zawawi, also confirmed that the 2012 Muscat Regatta will start on the 22nd of November and finish in Khasab on the 28th of November.