By Sue Pelling, on March 1st, 2015  EFG Bank (Monaco) – overall winners. Zain Sailing Team (Kuwait) headed by seasoned Tour competitor Cédric Pouligny with Gérald Véniard on navigation won the final leg of the Oman Sail-organised EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2015.
Even more commendable is the fact that the crew consists of enthusiastic novices, formed mainly from employees of Zain – one of the Middle East’s leading mobile telecoms operators. They managed to take the lead during the night on the windy, 90nm leg from Doha, and engage in a tough battle with Team averda in the closing stages. Team averda took the lead for a while, but some smart moves by Zain Sailing Team put them ahead and they crossed finish line off Bahrain in first place, completing the course in 18 hours, 31 minutes.
 Zain – winners of Leg 6 from Doha to Bahrain. Zain’s win on this leg also shifted them up the rankings to a podium position at third place overall. Cédric Pouligny commented: “We are really happy. Happy for the team and happy for Zain, our sponsors, too. Our speed was not so good at the start in the big winds but when the wind started to die we improved. The teamwork was good because we fought hard during the night, had good boat speed and managed read the windshifts well. We are truly delighted.”
A third place on this leg, however, was enough to confirm Sidney Gavignet, and his mixed Omani team the overall winners of the EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour for the second year in a row. Gavignet, together with his highly-tuned crew; Damian Foxall, Alex Pella, Nicolas Lunven, Fabien Delahaye (from Muscat to Ras Al Khaimah) Mohammed Al Mujaini, Abdull Rahman Al Mashari, and Abdallah Al Shukaili, sailed an impressive series. They won all but two of the six legs and finished the event 9.25 points clear.
Chatting as he stepped ashore, double Tour champion, Gavignet expressed his delight and paid tribute to his team: “I feel good to achieve the goal, and especially this time because we had a great atmosphere onboard, which I believe helped our performance. It was clearly the hardest Sailing Arabia – The tour event that I have done.”
The champions did not have it all their own way however, they were chased, hard throughout by Marcel Herrera and his young student team from Plymouth on Team averda who, for the second year in a row, took second overall, and Zain Sailing Team. The young student Team averda demonstrated how amateur teams can compete equally well with the pros. They sailed a solid series and, although they did not win a race, they were consistent, which is what competing at the Tour is all about. They were always in contention right to end and took another second in the final leg. Marcel Herrera, Team averda skipper commented: “We are really pleased to have retained second place for the second year. It shows consistency and proves that last year was not just a fluke. Hopefully we can return next year to challenge for first place.”
Wouter Sonnema and his Dutch team on Delft Challenge from the Technical University in Delft went into the final leg in third but couldn’t quite match the speed of Zain and had to settle for fourth place, which meant they dropped to fourth overall. Despite losing a place overall, they are delighted with their performance particularly with their 172nm, Leg 2 win. Sonnema said: “It has been fantastic with many highlights. For this leg however, we had a good start and were in third but during the night we lost speed and went to the wrong side of the beat. Zain sailed well and were faster so deserved to win that one.”
On this leg, Mary Rook and the all-girl team on Al Thuraya (Oman), sailed exceptionally well and were always in contention and finished the leg in fifth place. They also managed to retain sixth overall beating GAC powered by Dongfeng Race Team after a close battle to the finish. Mary Rook commented: “Much nicer leg, still windy but with a flatter sea, so we were happy. In the closing stages we had to defend our place over GAC powered by Dongfeng Race Team. If they had beaten us today, they would have beaten us overall so we needed to make sure they were behind. Thankfully we managed it.”
Nick Moloney and his mostly Chinese team on GAC powered by Dongfeng Race Team were just behind in sixth, which meant they finished eighth overall. Ahmed Al Ma’mari’s Team OMIFCO are a young Omani team who have never sailed offshore, so to finish in seventh place on the final leg was a great achievement. They finished ninth overall.
Having led for three hours, Team Renaissance ran into trouble when they first hooked a fishing net, then a rope round the propeller. They lost half an hour in total and eventually finished eighth. They did however, retain a respectable fifth place overall. Fahad Al Hasni, skipper, commenting on what happened, said: “We lost at least half an hour and ended up the wrong side of the shift because we couldn’t tack. We are however, so happy about our result, and extremely pleased about the team’s performance. They have improved such a lot, so the goal now is a podium position in 2016.”
Mathijs Wagemans and the predominantly Omani crew on Team IMCO, representing the International Maritime College Oman finished ninth in leg but had to settle for 11th overall. Lorenz Müller and his Bienne Voile team (Swiss) lacked the performance they had in the final inport races in Doha where they finished third, and instead concluded the series with a 10th. They did however, finish a respectable seventh place overall.
After the race, the organisers held a closing ceremony and prizegiving at The Dragon Hotel & Resort under the patronage of Sheikh Khalifa bin Abdullah Al Khalifa President of the Arab Sailing Federation, and President of Bahrain Maritime Sports Association and H.E. Abdullah Rashid Al-Medailwi, Oman’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain. At the ceremony, Ali Al Balushi (Renaissance) and Richard Mason (averda) were announced as winners of the newly-launched Volvo Ocean Race Rookie Award. The award followed a recognition by Volvo Ocean Race to EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour as a leading development race for young offshore sailors. Both winners, who are under 30, will fly to Newport, a Volvo Ocean Race stopover, for a full weekend trip to watch the race.
David Graham, CEO of Oman Sail, organisers of EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour, reflected on an incredible exhibition of sailing prowess. He said: “Calling at eight of the region’s world-class marinas, sailors from around the world have gone head to head and faced a unique sailing challenge. “Covering over 760 nautical miles in 15 days, my congratulations go to all of the competitors who have shown determination, mental strength and a high level of sailing skill even when their bodies must be aching and their minds are tired. EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour showcases the potential of the Middle East as a high-end tourist destination, and illustrates the capability of this region to host magnificent events.”
By Sue Pelling, on February 27th, 2015  A thrilling day on the water in Doha for the final four inport races of the EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour, resulted in three more race wins for Sidney Gavignet and team on EFG Bank (Monaco).
The EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour is a demonstration of Oman Sail’s passion for the sport and its commitment to help bring together the best sailing talent in the GCC to race against elite international sailors.
 The inport racing today showed how Oman Sail’s fleet of identical one-design Farr 30s encourages healthy competition. The racing was so close with the difference between winning and losing depending completely on the skill of the crew.
After the epic Leg 5, from Abu Dhabi to Doha, which saw teams battle against relentless strong headwinds for 30 plus hours, today’s calm conditions in flat water, just off the Four Seasons Murjan Marina Doha base, was welcome relief for the 10 teams.
Sunshine and winds that reached no more than 10kts also proved ideal for Oman Sail to welcome special guests to event, including a group of local Optimist sailors who had a chance to meet the race teams. The day was made even more special with guests, team sponsors and local media, invited to join the teams and take part in the racing.
Gavignet, and team sailed an impressive series and managed to emerge from every race in a podium position. They won three of the four races and are now in a strong overall winning position going into today’s start of the final leg. Commenting on his inport race success, Gavignet said: “The key today was making good manoeuvres and few mistake, which was where we scored well.”
By winning race three, Zain Sailing Team (Kuwait) headed by seasoned Tour competitor Cédric Pouligny with Gérald Véniard on navigation were the only team to prevent Gavignet’s total domination. Zain eventually finished fifth overall.
In second place overall with a consistent scoreline of three second places were the seasoned young student team from Plymouth on Team averda skippered by Marcel Herrera. Like Team EFG Bank (Monaco) they sailed smart and were always in contention.
Herrera commented: “Really enjoyable day and great racing plus we were able to take our sponsors – averda – out sailing as our special guests, which was fun too. It is always good to have such close racing, particularly with EFG Bank because they are always spot on.”
Notable for their impressive performance at this event is Team Bienne Voile skippered Lorenz Müller from Switzerland. Today was no exception. They finished third overall with a top result a second. Müller commented: “We feel more comfortable with inshore races because that is what we are used to. We had a great day, good starts, and my son Emanuel was spot on with the tactics, so we are very happy.”
Mary Rook and the all-girl team on Al Thuraya (Oman) were always in contention and made some good decisions in the shifty conditions. They always emerged in the top rank and finished the day in fourth place. Lauren Eatwell enthused: “We really enjoyed it today, it was Champagne sailing as far as we are concerned. We love this sort of racing because we have good team work, and in light winds we have a slight advantage because we have less weight on board.”
Nick Moloney and his mostly Chinese team on GAC powered by Dongfeng Race Team, were also always in the frame and finished the day in sixth place. This short course racing is all about teamwork and communication so it was a great opportunity for the multi-national team to have the chance to work their skills.
Wouter Sonnema and his team on Delft Challenge couldn’t quite match the impressive results they have achieved in the offshore racing so far during the Tour, and instead had to settle for seventh overall.
The all-Omani Team Renaissance skippered by Fahad Al Hasni started the day on top form with a first race third place but struggled to repeat this in the shifty conditions. They eventually finished eighth, just ahead of Mathijs Wagemans and Team IMCO (Oman) in ninth place and Ahmed Al Ma’mari and Team OMIFCO in 10th.
At the prizegiving ceremony immediately after the racing, David Graham, CEO of Oman Sail – the race organisers – shared his thoughts and also looked ahead to the final leg of this year’s Tour. He said: “The vision of Oman Sail to develop the region’s sailing talent and reignite the rich maritime heritage is becoming a reality, and as we go into the final leg tomorrow, it is clear that EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour can reach out to the entire region, create new heroes and help people achieve dreams. We have an all–female crew racing alongside their male counterparts and mixed crews showing that sailing is a sport for all.”
Today teams are preparing for the start of the final Leg 6 sprint to Bahrain. Given the forecast, however, with strong winds forecast, the race committee has decided to postpone the start until 1300. Once underway, the race will be all upwind, so crews are preparing for yet another challenging, uncomfortable ride. When the teams arrive in Bahrain however, they can look forward to a warm welcome at Manama Amwaj Marina.
By Sue Pelling, on February 25th, 2015  Leg 5 was the toughest so far. EFG Bank (Monaco)’s winning streak continues as Sidney Gavignet and his mixed Omani and European team notch up another leg win from Abu Dhabi to Doha to edge closer to defending their EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour title.
Oman Sail’s vision to develop the region’s sailing talent and reignite the rich maritime heritage has become a reality thanks to EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour. Every leg of this event is designed to encourage sailing across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) by showcasing local role models and motivating youngsters to participate in the sport.
The three Omanis onboard the winning boat EFG Bank (Monaco), Mohammed Al Mujaini, Abdull Rahman Al Mashari, and Abdallah Al Shukaili, are proof of just how Oman Sail’s concept has become a reality.
Defending champion, Gavignet, and his all-star team including the Omanis and world-class sailors Damian Foxall, Alex Pella, and Nicolas Lunven, are unstoppable. In winds that reached 25kts, they increased their lead overnight and, by the time a shortened course was signaled at Gate 3, they had built up nearly two-miles over second placed Team Renaissance.
Gavignet commented: “This was the toughest leg ever in the history of EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour. It was breezy into headwinds all the way, and we had up to 1.5m waves, which is quite something for the Farr 30s.”
Commenting on how Team EFG Bank (Monaco) keeps up the momentum on such a long, overnight leg, Gavignet added: “We keep the same speed but we do lots of rotation onboard and no crew is ever on watch for more than two hours, so this helps keep up the speed and avoids struggle when fatigue sets in.”
Fahad Al Hasni and Team Renaissance are noted for their consistent performance during this event. This mostly Omani team, with the exception of British team member Philippe Falle as navigator, sailed a good tactical race and took second. The turning point in the race was when they took a risk.
Al Hasni, commented: “We made a decision to separate from the fleet out to the right 10 miles away from the other boats and at midnight we crossed tacks ahead of Sidney. We were playing the shifts all the time and it really paid off. We then, however, had a problem with the clew outhaul (mainsail fitting) that separated from the boom so we stopped for 10 minutes and EFG Bank got ahead again. We are, however, thrilled to have finished second.”
Gavignet’s closest threat this week is the UK based Team Averda skippered by Marcel Herrera. Herrera, a veteran of the Tour, and runner up to Gavignet in 2014, maintained second position on Leg 5 in the early stages but Renaissance were ahead at the shortened course finish line. “It was very tough and a real test of endurance and stamina. We fought to hold onto our second place but in the early hours, just before the finish, Renaissance managed to just get ahead and keep their boat going a little bit faster, so well done to Fahad and the guys.”
Mary Rook and her all-female team on Al Thuraya (Oman) had a good start but were rolled on the first stretch and ended up well down the fleet. Never a team to miss an opportunity to fight back however, they played the shifts, clawed their way back up the fleet and eventually finished a creditable fourth. Wouter Sonnema and his team on Delft Challenge were always in contention in third position in the early stages of the leg but had to settle for fifth at the finish.
With a crew that consists mainly of enthusiastic novices, formed from employees of Zain – one of the Middle East’s leading mobile telecoms operators – this 30-hour plus leg was always going to be tough as far as stamina goes for Zain Sailing Team (Kuwait). With just Cédric Pouligny as skipper and Gérald Véniard on navigation, both of whom were on watch throughout, they were unable to maintain a top result and instead finished sixth just ahead of Nick Moloney and his mostly Chinese team on GAC powered by Dongfeng Race Team.
Ahmed Al Ma’mari and Team OMIFCO scored their best result on the Tour so far with an eighth, just ahead of Bienne Voile team (Swiss) skippered by Lorenz Müller in ninth. Mathijs Wagemans and the predominantly Omani crew on Team IMCO, representing the International Maritime College Oman scored a DNF (did not finish). The boat took on water overnight and, although the situation was swiftly under control, the committee boat escorted the yacht to Doha. As a result the race was shortened by 50nm.
Now onshore after a testing passage across the Persian Gulf crews are enjoying the luxury at Doha Four Seasons Marina/Hilton and all its facilities including seven restaurants and lounges, a three-storey Spa and Wellness Centre.
Tomorrow (26 February) teams will take part in the final inport race off Doha at 1230 before they set off on the final leg of the Tour (Leg 6) to Bahrain, on Friday 27 February at 0830.
By Sue Pelling, on February 23rd, 2015  The fast 60nm sprint from Dubai to Abu Dhabi gave Sidney Gavignet and his EFG Bank Oman team a chance to demonstrate their professional tactical skills once again to secure their third leg win of the of the EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour.
Gavignet and his super-tuned crew that includes Spanish sailor Alex Pella, Nicolas Lunven, and Ireland’s Damian Foxall, had a poor start but it didn’t take the seasoned team long to revert default and lead the 11-strong fleet round the windward mark.
Although they had a impressive one-and-half minutes lead at the mark, they were pushed all the way by the ever-threatening Zain Sailing Team (Kuwait) – headed by seasoned Tour competitor, and former team partner to Gavignet – Cédric Pouligny.
Mohammed Al Mujaini, one of the three Omani crew members commented: “Our start was really, really bad but we played the shifts well. Zain pushed us all the time but we kept all the focus on speed and we didn’t think of anything else other that that. In fact it always makes us work harder when we have pressure from others.”
Seasoned Tour competitor Cédric Pouligny and his Zain Sailing Team (Kuwait) includes Gérald Véniard on navigation and a crew formed mainly from employees of Zain – one of the Middle East’s leading mobile telecoms operators. The crew for this leg also included Bader Al-Khafari – Deputy Chairman of Zain, and Head of the MAK Group in Kuwait.
Commenting on his first ever yacht race, Al-Khafari said: “it was interesting and challenging and the rough sea made it tough, but we made it, enjoyed it and got a top result. It was all down to teamwork. I enjoyed being part of it and actually help sail the boat, including a stint at the helm.”
In third place after a race long struggle through the fleet following an OCS (over the line at the start) was Marcel Herrera and Team Averda (Oman).
Herrera commented: “Despite our OCS we actually had really good speed throughout the day. We worked hard and constantly gained, which was down to a top effort from the team.”
Fahad Al Hasni and the all-Omani team on Renaissance sailed well once again and held third position for most of the leg but lack of boat speed in the closing stages saw them lose four places. Al Hasni commented: “We don’t know what happened the boat just seemed to stop. We did everything we could but it is a mystery.”
The consistent Delft Challenge team was always in the top half of the fleet and took fourth despite a startline incident that resulted in a bit of damage to the boat. “It’s not too bad,” commented Jochem Nonhebel, “ We’ll get it fixed for tomorrow.”
Another team sailing well and posting consistent results is Lorenz Müller’s amateur Bienne Voile team from Switzerland. Today they finished fifth, which leaves them in fifth place overall.
Nick Moloney and his mostly Chinese team on GAC powered by Dongfeng Race Team had a better day finishing sixth, just ahead of Renaissance.
In seventh place were Mary Rook and the all-girl team on Al Thuraya (Oman). It was a tough day for the girls, some of whom, suffered with seasickness in the rough sea. They are now lying eighth overall.
Mathijs Wagemans and the predominantly Omani crew on Team IMCO, and Ahmed Al Ma’mari and Team OMIFCO finished in ninth and tenth place respectively, just ahead of the Oman Royal Navy.
Leg 5 of the Tour started today at 0900. This leg from Abu Dhabi to Doha is one of the most challenging not least because it is another long one at 159nm. It will be a real stamina test with fatigue being the biggest issue. Crews will need to be constantly alert as they negotiate the oil field and shallows along the way. When they arrive in Doha in the early hours on 25 February however, they will be rewarded with fine hospitality at the Four Seasons Marina.
The EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour provides an opportunity for the organisers, Oman Sail, to promote the Gulf region as alternative international race destination. The event, which is now in its fifth year, also signals a new era for sailing in the Middle East because it provides an exciting platform to develop young sailors and leave a lasting legacy.
Salma Al Hashmi, Director of Marketing and Events at Oman Sail, said, “Today we have seen exactly why EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour is gaining momentum. The variety of challenges, the high level of sailing skill and the capability of talented young sailors from this region on board local boats, is connecting people around the region with a shared cultural maritime heritage. EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2015 is signaling a new era for sailing in the Middle East. The focus is on nurturing talent and giving experiences to the next generation, while also teaching valuable life skills like teamwork, confidence and responsibility to work together and succeed. The race has captured imagination of competitors and the public who can see the possibilities that sailing can offer.”
By Sue Pelling, on February 21st, 2015  EFG Bank takes her second Leg win. Sidney Gavignet and team on EFG Bank (Monaco) have won Leg 3 of the EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour from Ras Al Khaimah Dubai. The Tour reigning champions now add another first place to their Leg 1 and first inport race victory, which strengthen their overall position at the head of the fleet.
The Oman Sail-organised EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour is now in its fifth year and offers an exciting platform to develop sailing and provide unique experiences to a new generation of sailors wanting to compete at the highest level.
This 760nm, six-leg race, which started in Muscat on 15 February offers 14 days of demanding offshore sailing and exciting inport races to test the skills of some of world’s best sailors, including a mix of elite regional and international sailors alongside young sailing talent making their Tour debut.
At 53 nautical miles, from Ras Al Khaimah to Dubai, this was the shortest leg of the Tour and arguably the most straightforward. It did however, produced fresh winds that reached 22kts; the most the 11-strong fleet has seen so far this week. It was also shifty, which resulted in plenty of place changing, particularly in the closing stages.
Gavignet, and his all-star team included Damian Foxall, Ireland’s foremost offshore sailor, Spanish veteran Alex Pella, Nicolas Lunven (replacing Fabien Delahaye for this leg). There are also three new members of the Omani team; Mohammed Al Mujaini, Abdull Rahman Al Mashari, and Abdallah Al Shukaili.
Together they sailed an impressive race and are, not surprisingly delighted with their result. Commenting Sidney Gavignet said: “It was difficult to remain ahead because Zain and Renaissance were both sailing very well. The competition throughout the fleet is intense, so we really have to work from start to finish. It was shifty, and a good breeze, perfect, in fact so we had lots of fun.”
A fantastic performance resulted in a second place for the Zain Sailing Team (Kuwait) headed by seasoned Tour competitor Cédric Pouligny with Gérald Véniard on navigation. The result is extra impressive given the fact the rest of the crew consists of enthusiastic novices, formed mainly from employees of Zain – one of the Middle East’s leading mobile telecoms operators.
Cédric Pouligny commented: “We had a good battle and it was really full on from the start. I think we sailed pretty well in terms of navigation and did our best with the team we have. They are improving really well.”
In third place were Fahad Al Hasni and Team Renaissance. This all-Omani team sailed well in the shifty conditions, and add this result to their already impressive third place in Leg 2.
Fahad Al Hasni commented: “I am so happy with our result and so happy with the team. They worked incredibly well given the tactically testing conditions.
“Although it was all about taking the right shifts it was also about good manoeuvres and that was something I feel we were good at.”
Team Averda (Oman) skippered by Marcel Herrera finished fourth which was enough for the team to retain second place overall, while Wouter Sonnema and his team on Delft Challenge came finished fifth, which places them third overall.
The consistently well-sailed Bienne Voile team (Swiss) skippered by Lorenz Müller was on form once again and rounded the windward mark second to EFG Bank. They finished the leg in sixth place.
Mary Rook and the all-girl team on Al Thuraya (Oman) had a better day and finished seventh, just ahead of Nick Moloney and his mostly Chinese team on GAC powered by Dongfeng Race Team.
Ahmed Al Ma’mari and Team OMIFCO finished ninth but were a bit disappointed to have lost two places in the final two miles. Crewman Mohammed Al Ghailani commented: “Despite losing our seventh place we are really happy because we have good boat speed now.”
Ali Al Rahbi and his Oman Royal Navy team were unable to match the speed they had on Leg 2 when they finish second and had to settle for 10th, just ahead of Mathijs Wagemans and the predominantly Omani crew on Team IMCO, representing the International Maritime College Oman.
During their stay at the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, the 11 teams will take part in the second inport race later today. Racing is in the form of windward/leeward course just off the club, with the backdrop Dubai’s dramatic skyline of high-rise buildings and interesting architecture. This will be followed by a prizegiving ceremony at the club.
Leg 4, from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, the second shortest leg at 60-nm, starts tomorrow (22 February).
By Sue Pelling, on February 21st, 2015  Sidney Gavignet and members of the EFG Bank team show the youngsters round the boat. Members of Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, guests, and EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour teams welcomed a group of young children from Rashid Center for Disabled yesterday.
The youngsters, aged between 9 -13 years old and partially deaf, were able to meet all the sailing tea
ms and chat to Sidney Gavignet – one of France’s most respected and well-known offshore sailors, and winning skipper of Legs 1 and 3 of the Tour.
Gavignet talked about his sailing adventures and about the days when he first started sailing as a child, giving them the inspiration to perhaps take up the sport of sailing one day.
Following the interesting chat with Gavignet, the youngsters were taken down to the marina and given a tour of the highly-tuned racing yacht –EFG Bank (Monaco) – and were inspired by Mohammed Al Mujaini, one of the key crewmembers, while he explained the team roles of the crew on the boat while racing.
The youngsters left the marina full of enthusiasm and were able to bid the teams farewell as crews prepared for the relatively short 60nm Leg 4 sprint from Dubai to Abu Dhabi.
By Sue Pelling, on February 19th, 2015  Team Delft Challenge win Leg 2. Wouter Sonnema (20) and his young student team from Delft University of Technology, sailing Delft Challenge have won Leg 2, one of the longest and most demanding legs of the EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2015.
At 172 nautical miles, from Sohar to Ras Al Khaimah via the Musandam Peninsula, this leg is renowned for its challenges that include a night sail through often windless conditions in an area strewn with fishing nets, and anchored ships, and strong currents. This year was no exception, and as hard as they tried, the race committee had no option other than to shorten the course at Gate 1, two nautical miles before the narrow passage, into the Strait of Hormuz.
Gilles Chiorri – race director – commented: “The decision to finish the leg at Gate 1 was driven by different parameters one being safety. The boats were drifting among the rocks in 3-4kts of tide plus there was a complete lack of wind. We also had to consider the sporting dimension. If we had continued more than half the fleet would probably been out of the time limit.”
Despite the shortened course however, the leg was noted for its extremely close racing, which places change constantly in the Gulf of Oman, up the eastern side of the Peninsula.
To win this demanding leg in the ultra-competitive 11-strong fleet, therefore is a huge achievement. Wouter Sonnema chatting as he and his team from the Netherlands stepped ashore at the Al Hamra Marina complex in the early hours of the morning, said: “It is great to have won in this competitive fleet. We were in the lead for a long time but we didn’t know it. Our navigation and tactics plan worked out well and we were in first place when it counted, going through the gate, so we extremely pleased with the result.”
The Oman Royal Navy, who struggled with boat speed in the opening leg, used their local knowledge and tactical skills on this tricky leg to make a star appearance at the front of the fleet and give an indication of their true potential. Their hard work and concentration on this leg paid off and they achieved a second place overall. Ali Al Rahbi – skipper – commented: “It was great and we put in a lot of effort. The decisions we made and the teamwork paid off and we are really happy and proud to get second place against the professional teams and skippers. As a local team we also had the added bonus of knowing the area.”
Lorenz Müller’s Bienne Voile team from Switzerland sailed an equally impressive race, finishing third. This team seem to be really embracing the vagaries of this event and shouldn’t be ruled out as a top overall contender.
Lorenz Müller’s commented: “We were really satisfied with the speed, and the tactics we used during the night. We had a spell at leading while sailing around the rocks at the top of the Peninsula even though as it turned out, the race had finished. That was probably the race highlight.”
Sidney Gavignet and team on EFG Bank (Monaco) – reigning champions and Leg 1 winners – were always in contention at the head of the fleet but were fourth across the Gate 1 finish line.
Another consistent team was Team Averda (Oman) skippered by Marcel Herrera. They were at the top of the fleet for the majority of the race but crossed the line in fifth, just ahead of Mary Rook and the all-girl team on Al Thuraya (Oman).
One of the most impressive teams on this leg was Zain Sailing Team (Kuwait) headed by seasoned Tour competitor Cédric Pouligny with Gérald Véniard on navigation. They led for a substantial period in the early stages of the race and looked to a real challenge.
This team is primarily formed from employees of Zain, one of the Middle East’s leading mobile telecoms operators, and includes as crew member Mike Miller leisure sailor and Group Executive Director.
Although Team Zain ended up seventh, they were naturally pleased with their performance. Mike Miller commented: “It a great two days and I think we surprised ourselves. It was tough although we managed to sleep. The most exciting bit was when we ran out of wind trying to go through a gap between the island and the mainland at the top of the Peninsula. We actually got swept back with the tide not once but twice.”
Nick Moloney and his mostly Chinese team on GAC powered by Dongfeng Race Team (China) finished eighth, one place ahead of Mathijs Wagemans and the predominantly Omani crew on Team IMCO, representing the International Maritime College Oman.
Not such a good leg for Ahmed Al Ma’mari and Team OMIFCO who ended the leg on equal points at the rear of the fleet, with Fahad Al Hasni and Team Renaissance (Oman).
This epic six-leg, 760 nautical mile race across the Gulf, made up of team of elite regional and young sailing talent from 21 different nations, started from Muscat, Oman on 15 February and concludes in Bahrain on 28 February.
The next leg (Leg 3) which, starts tomorrow, is a relatively short hop, 53 nautical miles – from Ras Al Khaimah to Dubai. Although it is the shortest leg of the Tour, and it takes place in daylight, crews will need to be vigilant because fishing nets are often spotted along the coast.
The approach to Dubai with its dramatic skyline of high rise buildings and interesting architecture will be a highlight of the leg but once in Dubai teams will be able to enjoy the relaxing surrounding at the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club adjacent to the extensive marina facility.
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