Muscat – The thirteenth edition of Oman Sail's Mussanah Race Week was a resounding success for the organizers, with a remarkable achievement of securing 10 medals across the five events. The competition concluded with an impressive distribution of four gold, two silver, and four bronze medals, including an overall team bronze in the Optimist event, underscoring the burgeoning talent within Oman Sail’s Sailing Schools.
As the waves subsided and the sailors made their way back to the shore, the victors were honored at a ceremony graced by the presence of the esteemed Guest of Honour, His Excellency Eng. Masoud bin Said Al Hashimi, Governor of South Al Batinah.
In the earlier part of the day, Oman’s Al Moatsem Al Farsi delivered an exceptional demonstration of skill in ILCA 6 sailing, securing victory and the gold medal. Teammate Hatem Al Araimi also excelled, clinching the bronze on the final day. Othman Al Hammadi from the UAE finished in second place, earning him the silver medal. In the girls’ category, Ibtisam Al Salmi placed third, closely followed by Camelia Al Qubaisi of UAE in first and Maanya Reddy of India in second.
Husain Al Jabri emerged as the champion in the ILCA 7 competition, securing the gold medal for Oman. Teammate Abdulmalik Al Hinai demonstrated remarkable resilience, moving from third to second on the final day to claim the silver medal. Hamza Al Ali of UAE secured the bronze medal in the same event.
Abdulatif Al Qasmi from Oman showcased exceptional performances throughout the ILCA 4 series, culminating in victory on the final day. Starting the competition in fourth place, he progressed to second and delivered an outstanding performance in the concluding series of races, securing the gold medal. Shashank Batham of India finished second, with Akshat Kumar Dohare of India in third. The ILCA 4 girls competition was won by Marwa Al Hammadi of UAE, followed by the Indian pair of Somya Singh Patel and Shagun Jha in second and third place, respectively.
In an all-Omani fleet, the four RS Venture Connect crews displayed remarkable adaptability, consistently changing positions until the final day. The crew of Zahir Al Atbi and Ahmed Al Shikili reclaimed the top spot to win the gold, followed by Sultan Al Wahabi and Adil Al Siyabi in second and Ghaliya Al Jabri and Malik Al Qartobi in third.
Abdulla Yahya from the UAE continued his impressive form, securing the gold in the Optimist competition ahead of Adison Ein from Thailand in second and UAE teammate Khalifa Al Romaithi who finished third. In the girl’s category, India’s Shreya Krishna Lakshminarayanan emerged victorious, followed by teammate Kommaravelly Lahari in second and Tong Xuan Ya from Thailand in third. The under-12s competition was won by Khalifa Al Romaithi of UAE, with the Thai duo of Chanyacart Ittivorakul and Prin Kantharak completing the top three.
The team that clinched the gold medal in the race, advancing to Thailand, secured the top four positions, with the United Arab Emirates securing the silver position, Oman settling for the third place, and the bronze medal being claimed by Oman.
H.E. Eng. Masoud Said Al Hashimi, the Governor of South Al Batinah, expressed his delight in being a part of this significant sporting event, which unites sailors from across the globe and showcases Oman's endeavors in promoting maritime sports both locally and internationally. The Mussanah Race Week serves to highlight the natural assets of South Al Batinah, positioning it as a premier destination for tourism and sports. He commended the extensive participation, the achievements in both competition and organization, and the appreciation extended to the organizers, sponsors, and partners. He looks forward to sustaining this level of excellence in future editions, ensuring that Oman remains a top choice for sailing enthusiasts.
Dr. Khamis Salem Al Jabri, the CEO of Oman Sail, conveyed his satisfaction with the success of the 13th Mussanah Race Week, noting that it saw the participation of 104 sailors, marking one of its largest editions. This annual event is designed to cater to emerging sailors from around the world who aspire to professional sailing. The programs are meticulously crafted to blend theory with practice, thereby enhancing the skills of the participants and preparing them for success in the sport.
Al Jabri further elaborated: “These activities are in line with our strategy to enhance sports tourism and bolster the national economy in alignment with Oman’s Vision 2040. Oman Sail has been at the forefront in hosting over 34 international events, thereby bringing significant economic, social, and media advantages. The Mussanah Sailing School has emerged as a distinguished global center for maritime sports. It was a great honor that the Netherlands team selected our school as their training venue, which contributed to their gold medal victory at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.”
He also mentioned the satisfaction in hosting the National Judges Workshop, organized by the Asian Sailing Federation, with the aim of empowering Asian women in the officiating of sailing events. Six female judges from Oman Sail underwent training through this workshop.
The CEO underscored the importance of maximizing tourism benefits for Oman, from increasing hotel occupancy rates to exploring various destinations, while also supporting sectors such as aviation and transportation. He reaffirmed Oman Sail’s dedication to the ‘Clean Regatta’ initiative, which advocates for sustainable environmental practices by reducing the use of single-use plastics, promoting recycling, and safeguarding marine life.
He concluded by highlighting the selection of Mussanah Sailing School as a Category A Asian High-Performance Training Center, thereby solidifying its position as a preferred destination for year-round training camps, owing to its state-of-the-art facilities and favorable conditions. Oman Sail will continue to strive for achievements, host major events, and contribute to the objectives outlined in Oman Vision 2040.
The Mussanah Race Week received support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Barceló Mussanah Resort, Pocari Sweat, and Al Khoud Pure Drinking Water.
