Muscat Khasab race receive $55,000 prize money
@ Mon Dec 14 09:26:00 2009
SAILING REGATTA GETS THUMBS UP AFTER WEEKEND PACKED WITH MARITIME FUN
Winning teams of inaugural Muscat Khasab race receive $55,000 prize money from title sponsor Bank of Beirut
The first ever sailing regatta held at Marina Bandar Al Rowdha last weekend was voted an outstanding success by the hundreds of visitors and participants that turned out to give their support to an event that looks set to put sailing in the Sultanate firmly on the international maritime map. 
The Muscat regatta 2009 started with a two-day event that saw Muscat’s watersports enthusiasts put their sailing skills to the test in twenty one short, professionally organised races around buoys near the marina. Twenty teams competed in dinghy and Hobie Cat races with the winners enjoying some fantastic prizes and of course the prestige of being the first winners in this annual event.
The highlight of the regatta was the much talked about Muscat to Khasab race, Bank of Beirut Chairman’s Cup, which involved eight crews of serious sailing enthusiasts from Oman and Dubai, setting off from the Capital and racing to Khasab in the Musandam. 
After three days at sea, the crews of Al Uqab, Susan Margaret and Musandam won respectively the IRC, Rally and Multihull Classes. The deserved winners shared the generous $55,000 prize fund, which was kindly donated by title sponsor, Bank of Beirut. Team Uqab, from the Royal Navy of Oman, was the overall winner and lifted the new Chairman’s Cup for 2009.
With Oman aiming to increase the profile of sailing in the Sultanate through events such as this, the Muscat to Khasab Race is expected to become the largest sailing race in the GCC over the next few years.
Mr Saleem Q. Al Zawawi, Chairman of Marina Bandar Al Rowdha said, “We have had great feedback from attendees and participants of the event, all of whom said how professionally organised and, most importantly, what a great deal of fun this regatta was. Sailing used to be a major hobby for many Omanis and expatriates and the aim of the Regatta has been to put some of that enthusiasm and excitement back into the sport and who knows, encourage a new generation of national sailing champions!”
At the end of the race, the boats were all greeted in Khasab by cheering crowds, as well as Oman’s Minister of Tourism, Her Excellency Dr. Rajiha other dignitaries, government officials and key sponsors like Bank of Beirut, Oman Air, NFC and Apex Group.
“At Bank of Beirut we believe that our involvement in the Regatta has provided us with an excellent way to contribute to the local community. We are very proud of this event, especially considering the fact that Muscat abd Beirut share centuries of maritime heritage together”, said Remy Zambarakji, Managing Director of Bank of Beirut-Oman Branches. “On behalf of everyone at Bank of Beirut, we extend our best wishes to each and everyone of the crews whom participated in this hugely successful race, and we wish the teams the best of luck in next year’s race; the Muscat Khasab Bank of Beirut Chairman’s Cup 2010.”
For further information on the race and its winners visithttp://www.marinaoman.net or contact Maurizio Monte; maurizio@mpireglobal.net
MAJAN FINISHES DUBAI MUSCAT YACHT RACE
@ Sat Nov 28 15:53:00 2009
STOP PRESS:
MAJAN TAKE LINE HONOURS IN THE DUBAI MUSCAT OFFSHORE SAILING RACE
The Arabian 100, Majan skippered by Paul Standbridge crossed the finish line off Bander Al Rowdha, Muscat, Oman. At 18:44 49sec on the 28th November 2009.
Image from Mark Covell on board Majan via SAILOR FleetBroadband 500 with air time from Stratos Global. All of the yachts in the race are fitted with satellite trackers from race sponsor Xtra-Link.
LIVE VIDEO FROM GIANT TRIMARAN MAJAN
@ Sat Nov 28 06:17:00 2009
Sent via SAILOR FleetbroadBand 500 from on board Majan with air time from Stratos Global.
Produced by media crew member: Mark Covell
Majan should be in Muscat later today and look likely to set a new record for the Dubai Muscat Offshore Sailing Race.
Dubai – Muscat Offshore Sailing Race
@ Fri Nov 27 09:02:00 2009
Fishnet Stoppings
“Last night we went offshore looking for more wind and all we found was a fishing net, it was two hours before we were free. However, we are now achieving a speed of 7 knots and we are working the shifts to the best of our ability.” Hannes Waimer, Team Premier TP52 at 11:30 27.11.09
Dag Skarsgard’s Landmark 43, Team Premier L43 had a much better night than their team mates. Reporting by Thuraya satellite phone, that they had been night sailing under a wonderous carpet of stars dressed just in shorts and t-shirts. The feel good factor obviously worked, they are now 18 miles west of Al Khasab making six knots.
Race leader, Arabian 100, Majan has made it through the Straits of Hormuz and are picking up speed, once they reach the Indian Ocean, the giant trimaran built for Oman Sail will be flying, a race record is a distinct possibility.
Dubai Muscat Offshore Sailing Race record: 51 hours, 52 minutes, 31 seconds
As a beautiful dawn broke across the Persian Gulf, the majority of the fleet bound for Muscat in Oman had made good progress during the night. In Class IRC Two, Jim O’Hare’s First 36.7, Place is having a great tussle with Phil Hoskings Seaquest 32, Rush Knot, both yachts fairing extremely well, overall on handicap.
In the Rally Class, Gordon Joyce’s traditionally built Talitha went offshore last night and is going very well indeed, presumably fortified by some of the Scottish skipper’s secret weapon; chilli con carne.
The majority of the fleet were off Ras al-Khaimah, this morning, the current home of the giant catamaran, Alinghi 5. The competitors in the Dubai Muscat Offshore Sailing Race are looking to benefit from sea breezes developing, later today, also a geometrically opposing breeze may kick in later, giving the fleet faster, downwind conditions.
All of the yachts are carrying Thuraya XT satellite phones and tracking systems from race sponsor Xtra-Link. You can follow the progress of the race by visiting:http://www.dosc.ae.
@ Fri Nov 27 05:47:00 2009
Cork Week 2010: Losing the pounds in all the right places.
Preparations for Cork Week 2010, Ireland’s most prestigious yachting regatta are well underway, the management team have been hard at work and a new web site is now on line.
http://www.corkweek.ie
In the Notice of Race, Mike McCarthy, Admiral of the Royal Cork Yacht Club gives an address which outlines the response to feedback given to the Club about the last event. Cork Week 2010 will have significant cost reductions to competitors, right across the board. Entry fees and accommodation have been reduced by 20-25%. Early arrivals will stay in the marina free and there are significant reductions in lift out and car park fees.
For those wishing to arrive by ferry, the new Fastnet Line will be open, offering a competitive service from Swansea to a ferry terminal, just a few miles from Crosshaven. The 154 metre vessel will dramatically reduce the travel time to Crosshaven from virtually any part of the UK and can accommodate vehicles, trailers, and smaller yachts in large numbers.
Team Rán/Rick Tomlinson
Early expressions of interest have been very promising; a substantial big boat fleet is expected including several Mini Maxis and a number of IRC optimized TP52s. Rolex Fastnet winner, Niklas Zennstrom’s JV72 Rán is expected, as is Sir Peter Ogden’s sleak black Mini Maxi, Jethou. Rolex Middle Sea Race winner, Andy Soriano’s Mills 68, Alegre is a veteran of several Cork Week’s and Karl Kwok’s Farr 80, Beau Geste from Hong Kong would be making their first visit.
“We have already booked our accommodation.” Said Nigel Passmore, owner/ driver of TP52 Apollo. “We will be in Cork with a Plymouth crew and we are looking forward to it immensely; it is a fantastic sailing location and racing against several other TP52s with some great fun in the evenings, what could be better.”
Many of the entries for next year’s Rolex Commodores’ Cup are also expected, including some of the best overseas yachts from Europe and further afield.
For the smaller IRC boats, the fleet is set to be just as competitive, the variety of sailing conditions and courses is a great all round test of the yacht and the crew and the yachts in IRC Two and Three make up a substantial percentage of the sailors racing at Cork Week. The Cork Week committee hopes that the reduction in costs right across the board should be of great benefit to those boats in particular.
“Competitors can expect a variety of courses set in open water, coastal and in the harbour which should test the crew handling and get just about every sail out of the bag.” Commented Cork Week Racing Chairman, Anthony O’Leary. “We are blessed with some superb sailing grounds and we are intent on making full use of them for. The focus for Cork Week is the same as it has always been, great sailing and a fabulous atmosphere ashore.”
The management team is also keen to encourage participation by charter companies and corporate entries and plans are in place to offer assistance to ensure that Cork Week is a fun-filled regatta for all.
Entry for Cork Week 2010 can be made on-line or via the Regatta Office:
Website: www.corkweek.ie
email: info@corkweek.ie
Tel: +353 (0)21 4831179
Fax: +353 (0)21 4832579
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