Extreme Sailing Series Act 1 preview from Muscat

by Extreme Sailing Series on 15 Feb 2011 Extreme Sailing Series Act 1 in Muscat, Oman will get underway in five days’ time. For the second time this unique Middle Eastern city will host the international sailing series from the 20th to the 24th February (public days 22 and 24) at The Wave, Muscat as part of the vibrant Muscat Festival.

The all-star team line-up will be watching the Omega clock as it counts down to the first race on Sunday twentieth February for the ‘open-water’ racing, ahead of the ‘stadium’ format close quarter action in front of the public from the twenty-second to the twenty-fourth.

The eleven international teams will start the Extreme Sailing Series 2011 season as they mean to go on, with their sights set firmly on the podium and some of the teams have already put in some intensive training at Massanah (north of Muscat) including the home teams of Oman Air and The Wave, Muscat.

This season sees six new teams entering into the fray against five existing teams from last year, many with new skippers and crew. With the worlds sailing heavyweights gathering on the water for the first time, the competition will be highly charged and unpredictable, providing the Omani public with front row seats to the action as it unfolds.

His Excellency Eng. Sultan bin Hamdoon Al Harthi, Head of Muscat Municipality commented: 'We are delighted that Muscat has been chosen as the first host venue of the internationally acclaimed Extreme Sailing Series. Taking place as part of our Muscat Festival, this fast paced sailing competition complements the land based Tour of Oman cycling race which sees 128 of the world's greatest cyclists compete over six days. Providing inspiration as well as fun and excitement to all the spectators, these formula one racing machines provide an ideal platform to promoting the warmth, color and visual splendor of Oman and we wish all the teams’ fair winds and an exciting competition.'

The Extreme Sailing Series will be one of the main highlight events at the Muscat Festival that celebrates Oman’s traditional arts, culture and heritage. There will be a diverse array of entertainment on the public days between 11.00am to 6.00pm local time, alongside the headline act of the Extreme 40’s including:

- ‘Try Sailing’ sessions
- Beach Football League
- Off-road RC car shows
- Kite shows
- Red Bull series of BMX, football and dance freestyle shows
- Kite buggy demonstrations (capable of reaching speeds in excess of 80 kmph!)
- Kids area with bouncy castle, face painting and PS3
- Food stalls

2010 winners, The Wave, Muscat return to defend their title, this time skippered by emerging star Torvar Mirsky.

Torvar has been competing on the World Match Racing Tour for the last four seasons finishing second overall in 2009 and third last year: 'Jumping into any new boat, you just have to figure out how to do it. With catamarans there is a lot of co-ordination and you are going faster so things are happening more often, more speed changes, etc., so you have to be really on the ball.'

Read the rest of Torvar's interview here

www.extremesailingseries.com