Omani teams create ripples with Extreme Sailing start

1.989672-2768473904 — Omani crews celebrate on the podium after the first stage of the 2012 Extreme Sailing Series in Muscat yesterday. Image Credit: Photo courtesy: Oman Sail

Muscat: A pair of Omani crews thrilled their home crowd with a brilliant one-two in the opening round of the 2012 Extreme Sailing Series in Muscat yesterday.

Oman Air (165 points) and The Wave, Muscat (159) got the better of French favourites Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (155) and the five other boats over the course of seven races.

In his second year as bowman with Oman Air, this is the first time Nasser Al Mashari has stood at the top of the podium and he was elated. "It is a big achievement in such an international sailing race. For me it is extra special that we are playing in our homeland and we thank all those who supported and encouraged us. Our team was determined to win and we worked so hard. We have definitely set ourselves a standard for the rest of the year."

Pole advantage

Groupe Edmond de Rothschild went into the day in pole position, with Oman Air and The Wave, Muscat trailing just a few points behind in second and third respectively. The three teams jockeyed for points, with the standings changing after every race.

For The Wave, Muscat's bowman, Hashim Al Rashidi, the podium position held extra significance in his debut event on the Extreme 40. "I'm very happy that we made it to the podium and won the second place. We worked very hard as a team and this was a great way to start the series. The competition was very fierce between us and Oman Air and the changes in the direction of the wind played a major role in changing the positions of the teams — every race the scoreboard was changing."

Shaikha Aisha Bint Khalfan Al Siyabiah, chairperson of the Public Authority for Craft Industries, officially presented the awards to the teams and praised the event and the efforts of all those involved.

"I am very happy to be part of this event. Having visited a lot of cities around the world, I can say that, when Muscat hosts an event such as this, it is proof that we have the infrastructure and facilities to successfully host an international race such as the Extreme Sailing Series," she said.

"Oman has a great maritime heritage and I would like to encourage all the youth to take up this great sailing opportunity and to learn not only from the professional Omani sailors but also from the international expertise that are sailing in this event with us."

The races were complemented by Oman Sail's Try Sailing programme for children, which saw 400 local youngsters take to the water for the first time.

The eight-boat fleet will next meet at the 2008 Olympic sailing venue in Qingdao, China, between April 17 and 20, before visiting Turkey, Portugal, the UK, Italy, France and finally Brazil in December.

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