Oman Sail launches Mussanah Race Week 2012

Competitors in the inaugural edition of Mussanah Race Week © Lloyd Images

Just two weeks after the resounding successes of the Muscat leg of the Extreme Sailing Series and Sailing Arabia-the Tour, Oman Sail is all set for another international sailing event; Mussanah Race Week 2012.

Inaugurated in 2011 by Oman Sail, Mussanah Race Week is Oman’s first international dinghy regatta and combines two days of world-class coaching alongside three days of international-standard racing. 165 sailors will compete from the 14-16 March across the eight classes in 145 boats, who amongst them represent nine nations – a significant increase on the events first year, which saw 78 sailors competing from four countries.

On the sidelines of the racing, world-renowned coaches will run training clinics for the competing sailors, from the 12-13 March. Leigh McMillan, skipper of Oman Sail’s Extreme 40 The Wave, Muscat will be amongst those sharing his expertise, alongside his former Tornado Olympic crew, Will Howden. Will currently sails on the Oman Air Extreme 40, the team that claimed victory in the opening leg of the Extreme Sailing Series in Muscat just two weeks ago.

Coen De Koning, a double world champion in the F18 and senior coach for the Dutch Sailing Federation will also be on hand, as well as Nick Thompson, one of Britain’s top Laser sailors. Coen said: ‘It is well known that the best way of giving people success is by giving them the tools to succeed. During Mussanah Race Week we give the sailors the tools of skills and tactics that will give them the added advantage on the racecourse. The theoretical lessons we are giving them today and tomorrow will combine with the practical lessons they learn on the water at the end of the week.

“From here they can develop into successful sailors, hopefully with the chance to have a successful career in sailboat racing. I have been overwhelmed with the level of interaction I have seen and the enthusiasm to learn from each and every one of them.”

One of Oman Sail’s key aims of the regatta is to gain ISAF accreditation, to further enhance Oman’s positioning as a unique sporting venue – The Extreme Sailing Series is becoming a regular visitor to Muscat and home-grown events such as Sailing Arabia – the Tour and Mussanah Race Week are growing year on year, attracting international sporting talent.

Issa Ismaili, Oman Sail’s Events Director explained: “Our aim is to seek ISAF accreditation for the Mussanah Race Week as a Grade A event. Hopefully the event will be on the international sailing calendar in the coming years. We will also organise the ISAF Congress and the GCC Sailing Championships at the same venue.”

Mussanah, located on the Gulf of Oman and just 84 kilometres from the countries capital, Muscat, is also the venue for the 2013 Laser World Championships, and Mussanah Race Week will act as a significant test for the venue ahead of the worlds.

Long time partners of Oman Sail and supporters of the Omani national sailing team, Thales, will extend their support to Mussanah Race Week. For more information please visit www.mussanahraceweek.com