Record entry for Oman Sails Mussanah Race Week

250 sailors from 25 countries set for Mussanah Race Week © Mark Lloyd / www.lloydimages.com

Mussanah Race Week, in its third year, kicks off on 10 March and entries have surpassed all expectations as 250 sailors from a record 25 countries descend on Mussanah Sports City for the weeklong event. Many are using the event to get a feel for conditions ahead of the Laser World Championships that start in November of this year.

As the dawn of the third annual Mussanah Race Week approaches, Mussanah Sports City is a hive of activity, 250 sailors, coaches, boats, equipment and race committee are arriving from 25 different nations to participate in this growing event. Teams will have travelled from as far as the United States, Australia, Africa and all over Europe in order to showcase their talent and race for a podium position.

Mussanah is the ideal sailing event venue for sailing: guaranteed sunshine, consistent wind averaging 14 knots, and warm water. All of this coupled with the event's high level of professionalism, now further endorsed by a prominent international race jury, two of whom were race officers at the London 2012 Olympics, guarantees that Mussanah Race Week 2013, is set to be a first class event. Mussanah will also be playing host to the Laser World Championships in November 2013, Paul Goodison, Olympic Laser Champion, sites the importance of local knowledge of sailing venues: "Previous experience and local knowledge is paramount when it comes to racing venues, it is of huge value to any sailor to feel comfortable and confident in the waters in which they race, and many of the Laser competitors will be using this event as a training opportunity for the upcoming World Championships."

One aspect of this event which sets it apart from others, is the unique opportunity for the competitors to advance their skills in the lead up to, and throughout the event, as international coaches are offering specialist clinics in their respective disciplines, and will also be on hand to offer bespoke coaching and advice to the competitors throughout the competition period.

This year, the professional coaches include British Laser Coach and Olympic medallist Paul Goodison and Hugh Styles (UK), renowned coach across a wide spectrum of youth and professional classes. In the multihull arena the F18s and Hobie sailors will have the celebrated Coen de Koning, double F18 World Champion and Senior Coach with the Dutch Sailing Federation. The Optimist class is privileged to have the renowned coaching expertise of Chris Atkins from the UK who was lead coach and umpire for the Volvo Ocean Race, and has also coached a host of winning Optimist teams. Famous Turkish Windsurfing Champion Koray Ezer, National RSX Champion, top contestant in events around the world, and now a passionate full time coach in Oman will put the RSX Windsurfer class through their paces. With this array of talent and expertise on offer the competitors are guaranteed to advance their skills, whilst also enjoying racing in a world-class event.

Goodison states: "I am proud to have been invited to this incredible event as a both a sailor and a coach, I am looking forward to the opportunity to see and nurture the young talent which is being grown here in Oman, and to see how it compares on a global scale. I am certain that it will be a huge success and a fantastic chance for all the sailors to advance their skills in a competitive environment."

The number of entries has grown year on year as has the number of visiting professionals, Oman Sail's Events Director Issa Al Ismaili says that the aim is to have Mussanah Race Week recognised as an International Sailing Federation (ISAF) World Cup Event: "It has reached such a standard that it deserves international credibility and recognition as a top class event."

Not only will the sailors have an active racing schedule but there is also an array of social events on offer, including the grand Opening Ceremony, a special interactive "Ask the Experts" dinner evening for contestants and visiting international coaches, and an exotic Arabian cultural dinner. These events will allow visiting competitors to sample local cuisine and experience the warm hospitality of this beautiful country.

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