Sail the Gulf Regatta 2015 – A success story

by Icarus Sailing Media on 4 Mar 2015 The Sail the Gulf Regatta has evolved over the years and plays an important role in the development of sailing in the region. In the heart of winter, Doha offers unique sailing conditions, which is why 'Sail the Gulf Regatta' is building on 23 years of success.

Sail the Gulf is a fast paced, ever-expanding event that attracts numerous international entries. Qatar Sailing and Rowing Federation guarantees excellent organization and memorable hospitality. Sail the Gulf Regatta took place from third till seventh of February in Qatar and the exotic city of Doha, where tradition and history meet architectural innovation and magnificent skyscrapers, to create a breathtaking landscape.

Day One was focused on team racing in the Optimist class, and the young sailors were getting prepared to showcase the best of their skills out on the race course. 7 teams representing 4 countries, and 1 multinational team, lined up to do battle in a short-race format, where teamwork is essential for success. The teams faced two round robins, so had the chance to put all their efforts into battling each other. Crowned winners, Team India read the course, and the other teams, skillfully. In the finals, they crossed swords with the UAE’s first team. 2 race wins to India, ensured they ruled the waves to secure gold!

After the Optimist Team Race, it was time for all the other classes competing in Sail the Gulf Regatta 2015 to get out on the race track – Laser 4.7, Laser Radial, Laser, Hobie Cat 16 and 470! Two different race courses were set. One for the Optimists, right in front of the picturesque Bahriya Beach, near the iconic Pearl Qatar. The other classes raced on the outside course by the manta-ray shaped Al Safliya Island. The Laser, 470 and Hobie 16 classes, sailed the Olympic trapezoid course format, with the Hobie, Laser Standard and 4.7 sailing the inner course.The course tests a sailors’ complete package of skills – upwind, reaching and downwind.

Just one race in all classes during day 3. Those who read the shifts best took the advantage.
In the Optimist fleet, the United Arab Emirates’ Saif Al Mansoury took over the lead, after winning the day’s only race in the light breeze. Hamza Al Ali from the United Arab Emirates continued to lead in the Laser 4.7, but points were close between the top 4 boats. In the Laser Standard, Oman’s Hussain Al Jabri was on equal points with home talent, Waleed Al Sharshani. A close scoreboard in the 470 Class, with Pakistan’s Muhammad Akram Tariq and Khalid Hussain having a steady performance, but points were close with the rest of the fleet. Finally in the fast and colourful Hobie 16, India’s Chinna Reddy and Yajobu Kalaqa were very safe in the lead, holding a big points margin.

A super day of breeze was forecast for the penultimate day of Sail the Gulf Regatta, so sailors were anticipating a full day of racing action in stunning conditions. On the racecourse and with the breeze up, the conditions stretched the sailors, pushing them to their limits. The pace of racing stepped up, not just due to the weather, but as sailors homed on in on consolidating their scorelines, and the Race Committee packed the races in to get back on schedule. The choppy sea gave a chance to the heavier and more experienced athletes to shine and climb up the leaderboard, as the weather conditions gave them the upper hand.

On the ultimate day at Sail the Gulf Regatta 2015 in Doha, Qatar the pressure was on for the podium challengers. Determination and focus were etched all over sailors’ faces as they checked equipment ahead of launching and heading out to the race track on medal deciding day. A steady 13 knot breeze from the southwest powered the fleet as they went in to do battle in the final 3 scheduled races. Challenging conditions, as the breeze steadily dropped, and sailors had to hunt out the puffs and pressure. Finishing orders changed and the leaderboard shuffled up.

In the Optimist class, there was an intense battle between India’s Chitresh Tatha and the United Arab Emirates’ Saif Al-mansoury. As the only sailor in with a chance of catching Tatha, Al-Mansoury did everything possible to close the points difference. With wins in the bag from the first 2 races, he held a 1 point advantage over Tatha going into the final race. But, a fourth place finish was simply not enough, compared to Tatha’s second place. So, Gold to India, Silver to the United Arab Emirates and bronze to India’s Navyn Prabhakar.

A tight finish unfolded in the Laser 4.7 too. Only 3 points separated first to third place. The United Arab Emirates Hamza Al Ali held tight onto his lead that he had claimed from day 1, leaving Bahrain’s Saoud Al Naar in second and Qatar’s Abdurrahman Al Jinah in third.

In the 470, an easy win for Pakistan’s Muhammad Akram Tariq and crew Khalid Hussain. The pair won every race of the day in a show of perfect form when the pressure is on. Gold to Pakistan, India’s Praveen Prabhakar and Vishnu Sujeesh in second, with Duarte Monteiro and Adeel Khan in third.

In the Laser Radial, a steady day for the United Arab Emirates’ Saeed Al Zaidi, who safely sealed gold. He left Ebrahim Showaiter from Bahrain and Pakistan’s Najeeb Ullah fighting for silver and bronze. The battle ended in tiebreak, with silver going to Showaiter as he racked up more race wins.

Oman dominated in the Laser Standard class, claiming gold and bronze, with Ahmed Al Balushi and Hussain Al Jabri respectively. Home grown talent, Waleed Al Sharshani was just one point off the gold spot, but had to be content with silver.

Finally, in the Hobie Cat 16 India’s Chinna Reddy and Yakobu Kalaga were in a league of their own. Notching up 8 wins from 9 races, they were unbeatable. Silver to Kuwait’s Nayef Al Hada and Mahammed Bastiki and bronze to Qatar’s Hassan Al Baker and Mohamed Ahmed Ismail.

The awards ceremony took place in the luxurious Grand Hyatt Hotel. Winners received their medals in an exotic and very stylish festival setting - matching the superb atmosphere and hospitality everyone has enjoyed from start to finish at this year’s Sail the Gulf Regatta. Another showcase year for this excellent event has successfully come to an end in Doha.'

Click HERE to view the full highlights video from the event