Shabab Oman wins Cutty Sark sailing trophy in Denmark

Shabab Oman, a sail training vessel of Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), has won the Cutty Sark Trophy 2001 in Denmark, an international friendship race for tall ships, for the third time to send a wave of jubilations accross the country.

According to the media team on board Shabab Oman,the only Arab ship to take part in the race, Sunday's victory came as no surprise judging by her track record, having finished first in 1996 and 1997 as well.

Some 107 sail ships from around the world took part in what is considered to be the world's most spectacular annual event of its kind,held in the Danish city of Esbjerg, with the number of participants and spectators growing every year.

Each year a new course is charted for the race and a fleet of mighty yachts, including square riggers, barques and barquintines, brigs and schooners assemble at the sprawling port of Esbjerg to display sailing speed and skill.

"Our young sailors have done us proud," a RNO official told Gulf News yesterday. "They have lived up to their reputation. They will be accorded a befitting welcome back home."

He said Shabab Oman remained a rare ship of its kind in the Sultanate meant to train young sailors in keeping with Oman's age-old seafaring tradition and chivalry.

Mukhtar Al Rawahy, head of the Omani Association for Disabled (OAD), who has been taking part in the paraplegic games in various parts of the country, said Shabab Oman's victory was a source of strength for the Sultanate's youth, striving as it is to march forward without losing its link to the past.

"I know how difficult it is to win a highly competitive international race like this. Well done, boys. We can't be happier," he exclaimed.

Shabab Oman's victory coincided with another event of extreme significance involving the country's youth. The same dayNasser Al Bashar, carrying 60 Omanis, started a rare countrywide sea cruise from Musandam, known for the famous Strait of Hormuz, to project 2001 as the Year of Environment.

Addressing the youngsters, Mohammed bin Khamis Al Araimi, director general of environment, said the government attached utmost importance to the youth, tomorrow's hope, and the event was designed not only to create and maintain a pollution-free atmosphere, but also to exploit and harness the latent talent of the youngesters.

Meanwhile, Oman's seven-member skating team is all set to scoop new awards at the Asian Championship, starting in Hong Kong on August 12 under the auspices of the Ice Skating Institute of Asia. In all, 963 skaters are taking part in the eight-nation contest, Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines being the other countries.

The youngest contestant is three-year-old and the oldest 49. Oman's participants are all teenagers, who will be accompanied by their parents.

Michael Fernandes, Oman's skating coach, said the team has a good chance of breaking last year's record of nine gold, seven silver and 14 bronze medals. "I have great expectations from my team,who, I am sure, will put Oman on the world map once again."