Oman Sails paring off to Formula 18 World Championships in Italy

Oman Sail's new F18 pair in training © Oman Sail

Oman Sail's latest F18 pairing Musab Al Hadi (helm) and Hashim Al Rashdi (crew) take on one of their biggest challenges of the year this week at the 2013 Formula 18 World Championships in Italy.

The pair, who teamed up just two months ago after working together as part of Oman's national sailing and The Wave, Muscat Extreme 40 squad, were selected to represent the Sultanate of Oman to line up in a competitive field of 180 teams from around the world including the top three skippers from last years World Championships and Vendee Globe winner Francois Gabart.

Racing takes place in Marina di Grosseto on the Tyrrhenian Sea from 8-12 July with two races each day. It promises to be a stern test for the young but promising Omani team!

"Our goal is to finish in the top 20 and hopefully we can revise that upwards during the week," said the pair's coach Andrew Walsh, who also sailed as headsail trimmer for Oman Sail's invitational Team Duqm Oman Extreme 40 crew last February in Muscat.

"This is a big fleet regatta with a vast spread of experience and ability among the 180 or so teams and it is a strong breeding ground for the Olympic fleets now which is why it has attracted so many entries."

The F18s are performance catamarans with asymmetric spinnakers which require a high level of skill and fitness to sail to medal standard. They bear a close resemblance to the Nacra 17 which was selected last year as the new Olympic multihull for the Rio 2016 Olympics. This sets the right platform for Oman Sail's pathway and ambitions for the 2020 Olympics.

For the past six days, Musab Al Hadi and Hashim Al Rashdi have been with their coach in Marina di Grosseto acclimatising to conditions that have included a limited range of wind strength from very light to moderate.

"This is the first time the guys have raced against such an international fleet since this time last year which is why our training has had a big race focus," said Walsh.

Up to 180 teams from 25 countries have entered the F18 World Championships. These include wildcards plus the 2012 Worlds top three skippers Olivier Backes (FRA), Oscar Zeekant (NED) and Billy Besson (FRA).

One of the world's current favourites, the French skipper François Gabart, who recently won the Vendée Globe returns to his first real love, beach cat racing and at the F18 World Championships is expected to compete with Matthieu Vandame.

"The guys look very strong in the light winds and we have been working hard on how we deal with the stronger breeze. During training, they have improved every day – it has been productive working on boat speed and they look very at home in the conditions here" added coach, Walsh.

"Their race sharpness and decision making seems to be getting quicker and more assured so hopefully they can get a result they will be happy with."

Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Overall (both Gold and Silver fleets); Female teams; Mixed teams; Masters (50+); Youth (Under 23).