Manama to Muscat race to start on Sunday

Dubai: The third edition of the EFG Bank Sailing Arabia Tour sets sail from Manama on Sunday for a gruelling 15-day, 760 nautical-mile race to Muscat.

Nine identical single-keeled Farr 30 yachts will compete over seven legs stopping over in four GCC countries and eight different ports, with inshore courses to traverse at four of the locations, before arriving in Muscat on February 25.

Among those taking part is Al Thuraya Bank Muscat’s English skipper Dee Caffari, the first woman to have sailed single-handed and non-stop around the world in both directions and the only woman to have sailed non-stop around the world three times.

Elsewhere, former Volvo Ocean Race winner Sidney Gavignet, of France, draws from his extensive Olympic and America’s Cup experience to helm team EFG Bank of Monaco.