Manama, Bahrain: Nine world-class crews competing in the EFG Bank Sailing Arabia — The Tour, were back on the water on Tuesday off the coast of Qatar for the first of three in-port races to take place during the 15-day race between Bahrain and Muscat.

In contrast to the calm of the opening days, day three of the region’s only long-distance sailing race was fast and frantic as fiercely competitive in-port races saw Dubai-based Team AISM win all three races in front of a large crowd enjoying Qatar’s National Sport Day.

Bertrand Pace and Team AISM dominated the first day of in-port racing. Pace is returning to compete in the Gulf’s longest sailboat race for a third time, hoping to repeat his first-place success of 2011. “I like the mixture of inshore and offshore — it is good for us,” said the former America’s Cup helmsman. “This time of year we don’t have that much sailing we can do [in Europe], so this is good practice for us. It is a perfect two weeks.”

Winner of the opening leg from Bahrain to Doha, the Cedric Pouligny-skippered BAE Systems, scored a 4-2-4 on Tuesday in the three races leaving her just ahead of EFG Bank Monaco and Team AISM in the overall standings.

“We raced well today,” said team BAE Systems’ Omani crewman, Ali Al Belushi. Despite celebrating his 22nd birthday on Tuesday, Al Belushi has a long track record — having competed in the last three SATT events and in the Tour de France a la Voile.

Delighted by the response of the local community in Qatar to the spectacular showcase of sailing, Essa Al Esmaili, director of events, and race organiser Oman Sail said: “Sailing and the sea are at the core of the region’s culture, heritage and everyday living. On a day like today, with crews and spectators enjoying a perfect day of racing, Oman Sail’s vision to encourage the growth of sailing across the entire Middle East continues to become a reality. I would like to thank the Qatar Sailing Federation and Qatari people for the warm welcome.”

After today’s short course sailing series, the nine crews will be setting their sights on the longest leg of the 15-day tour, covering 257km between Doha and Abu Dhabi, the first stopover in the UAE.

After leaving Manama on February 10, EFG Bank Sailing Arabia — The Tour calls at Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Dibba and Mussanah and ends on February 25 in Muscat. The racing will include in-port racing at selected locations.

For more information on the race visit www.sailingarabiathetour.com.

Overall standings after Qatar in-port races: 1. BAE Systems; 2. EFG Bank (Monaco); 3. Team AISM.