Oman Air returns to action in the upcoming Extreme Sailing Series 2014
by Oman Sail 15 Jan 2014 11:50 GMT
15 January 2014
Oman Air returns to action © Lloyd Images
Oman Air announced a return to action in the upcoming international inshore sailing circuit, the 2014 Extreme Sailing Series. Celebrating its eighth edition, the world tour will be hosted in nine iconic venues spanning three continents, and will see a competition between nine elite teams representing seven nations to win the series coveted title. The fleet will start the curtain raiser in Singapore on the February 20th, continue in Muscat for Act II from March 19th-22nd, before heading to Qingdao, Saint Petersburg, Cardiff, Istanbul, the Mediterranean and Sydney.
After an acclaimed staging of the Laser World Championships in the past few months, Oman Sail is proud to be hosting yet another act from the series, and field two teams this year, Oman Air and defending champions, The Wave Muscat.
Wayne Pearce, CEO Oman Air, said: "We are excited to be returning back to the Extreme Sailing Series this year and linking our name to this successful event. We would like to wish fair winds to Rob Greenhalgh and the whole Oman Air team. At Oman Air we are proud in continuing our focus of promoting destination Oman through such high profile events which allow us to showcase the Sultanate as the unique and beautiful destination it is to a global audience."
In 2012, Oman Air finished in second place in the series overall, with American Morgan Larson at the helm. This year, with Rob Greenhalgh as skipper, Oman Air is aiming for a first place position. Greenhalgh is no stranger to Extreme 40 racing; he won the inaugural series in 2007 straight after winning the 2005-06 Volvo Ocean Race on ABN AMRO ONE and before coming second in 2008-09 with PUMA Ocean Racing. He ventured offshore again in 2011-12 to take a fifth on Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing which came first into the home port at the end of the second leg. He returned to Extreme 40 racing last year as skipper of invitational home team Team Duqm in the Muscat Act and despite the fierce opposition, managed to achieve a fourth place. He is a skiff world champion and highly regarded around the world as one of the most versatile and accomplished sailors on the grand prix racing circuit. Greenhalgh will be joined by Will Howden, Tom Reynolds and two Omani Sailors, Hashim al Rashdi and Musab al Hadi.
For more information visit www.omansail.com and www.extremesailingseries.com