Dubai: After an extremely close, tactical race from Ras Al Khaimah to Dibba, Sidney Gavignet and his EFG Bank (Monaco) team narrowly beat 21-year-old Marcel Herrera and the UK students on board Messe Frankfurt Sailing Team to win the fifth leg of EFG Sailing Arabia The Tour 2014.

The 104-mile leg took the fleet around the Musandam Peninsula and down to Dibba in Oman, an area known for its rugged mountain ranges that rise up to 2,100 metres.

The conditions were true to expectations and the race became a game of two halves, with the first segment blessed with good conditions with winds of up to 17 knots and the second dogged by light, shifty winds in the lee of the mountains.

David Graham, CEO of Oman Sail, said afterwards: “This race highlights the variety of sailing conditions our regional waters have to offer sailors from the region and around the world.

“Around every bend is a different challenge that tests sailors’ abilities, while also showcasing the beauty of the Arabian Gulf.”

Messe Frankfurt revelled in the conditions and led the opening 10-hour stint from the start. But, when the race effectively re-started at the top of the peninsula, the lead changed hands between Katie Pettibone and her all-girl team on Al Thuraya Bank Muscat, EFG Bank (Monaco), Kay Heemskerk and Team Delft Challenge and Team Renaissance.

Gavignet of EFG Bank (Monaco), who enjoy an 8.5-point overall lead, said the fifth stage of the race has been the highlight for him. “It was a memorable and interesting leg. It was also a very tight race and we were first and last at different points in the race. It would have been so easy to finish fourth or fifth, in fact we nearly did because we were trailing as we approached the finish line.

“We made a good tactical move at the last moment and sailed outside a small island to pick up a bit more wind — then 100m off the finish line, we got stuck in a hole but just got lucky enough to cross in front of Messe Frankfurt Sailing Team.”

Sailing Arabia The Tour is held over a 760-nautical mile course that spans four countries from Bahrain to Oman, with eight of the region’s premier marinas playing host as stopover venues during the seven legs of the course.

For the next two days, the fleet is based at Six Senses Zighy Bay, located in a large natural harbour in Oman.