Muscat: Oman Sail has been selected to host the 2025 IODA Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship, in partnership with the Oman Marine Sports Committee and the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA). The championship is set to occur from 25 October to 1 November 2025 at Oman Sail’s Mussanah Sailing School, attracting sailors from Asia and Oceania for a week of elite competitive sailing.
Earlier this year, the Mussanah Sailing School was recognized as a Category A High Performance Centre by the Asian Sailing Federation (ASAF), highlighting its ability to host international regattas, training sessions, and various local, regional, and national sailing competitions. The venue has a rich history of hosting significant sailing events, including the 2021 Youth Sailing World Championship, the 2021 World Championships for 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17, as well as 13 editions of the annual Mussanah Race Week.
This will mark the second occasion that Mussanah has hosted the IODA Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship, following a successful event in 2019 that saw participation from 141 sailors representing 21 nations.
Dr. Khamis Salim Al Jabri, CEO of Oman Sail, expressed, “It is a tremendous privilege for Oman Sail to be selected to host the 2025 IODA Asian and Oceanian Championships for a second time. Our Mussanah Sailing School has evolved into a vital regional center for sailing, serving not only our teams but also as a premier competition venue, a status recently affirmed by the Asian Sailing Federation with our designation as a Category A High Performance Centre.”
He further stated, “We eagerly anticipate welcoming the top Optimist sailors from both regions to Oman once again, where they can experience our exceptional hospitality and culture, all while competing in a world-class venue that fosters lifelong connections and advances their sailing careers.”
Oman Sail’s Optimist team recently participated in the 2024 IODA Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship held in Hong Kong, China. All five sailors achieved finishes in the top half of their respective fleets, with Tamim Al Balushi securing an impressive 10th place overall in the Gold Fleet. His teammate Hasan Al Wahaibi also had a commendable performance, finishing 13th overall. Additionally, Firas Al Nabhani and Khamis Al Mashaikhi placed 28th and 40th, respectively, while Hadeel Al Mushaifri concluded the women’s Silver Fleet competition in 41st place.
