Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series set for Saturday

by Oman Sail on 24 Feb 2016 America’s Cup fever is sweeping Muscat as the curtain goes up on the 2016 Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Oman on Saturday marking an historic and momentous first for sport in the Middle East.

The world’s best sailing teams including America’s Cup champions ORACLE TEAM USA have landed in the Sultanate and are settling in to their bases at Al Mouj just outside Oman’s capital city Muscat in preparation for the first showdown of 2016 on February 27-28. Oman’s sailing fans are preparing for a festival of sport to remember!

This is the first time America’s Cup racing has come to the Middle East and marks a significant step forward for the region in its drive to host world sport’s ‘Crown Jewel’ events. For the past eight years, Oman Sail has led the way in sailing, helping to put Oman and the region on the map as a sporting and tourism destination.

At the Al Mouj race village on Saturday and Sunday, spectators will get their first glimpse of the spectacular America’s Cup foiling catamarans, capable of impressive speeds, that have revolutionised the sport of sailing.

Some of the fittest and most skilful sailors in the world, who will ‘fly’ the boats around the race course, will also be in easy reach before the action gets underway.

Each day, the six teams from France, Sweden, America, Great Britain, Japan and New Zealand will be presented at a Dock Out Show on the public stage followed by a Parade of Sail as the boats head out to the racetrack.

Three races are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, between 1400 and 1530 followed by a prize giving ceremony on Sunday after racing.

The Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Oman marks the start of the 2016 season, with other rounds scheduled for New York (USA), Chicago (USA), Portsmouth (UK) and Toulon (FRA).

Emirates Team New Zealand, skippered by Peter Burling, currently heads the series leaderboard with Jimmy Spithill’s ORACLE TEAM USA in second and Britain’s Land Rover BAR, headed by Sir Ben Ainslie in third.

Lying just off the podium in fourth, Artemis Racing from Sweden is ‘getting better and better,’ according to skipper Nathan Outteridge, and having won the last event in Bermuda last October, they are keen to maintain the momentum.

“We had a big build up through last year, getting better and better every race, every event, and we just need to keep that progression going,” said Outteridge.

“We haven’t really had much time to do any AC45F sailing since the last event so it’s going to be a case of remembering what we did in Bermuda.

“We have the same crew list heading there and just need to make the most of the Friday training and be ready for the weekend.'

Groupama Team France will be without their skipper Franck Cammas who is recuperating after suffering a serious leg injury in a training accident in December. Kiwi Adam Minoprio will take the helm in Oman while Cammas watches from a support boat.

Dean Barker’s SoftBank Team Japan has also been busy since the last event in Bermuda with Japanese sailors Yugo Yoshida and Yuki Kasatani joining the ranks and getting up to speed with some intensive training on their new AC45 Turbo.

The action on the water will make for compelling viewing with some superb vantage points set aside along the Al Mouj Golf course's 2.5kms of unspoiled Arabian coastline, for spectators keen to watch every tack and gybe.

For those keen to learn about the crews, the racing and the America’s Cup, expert commentators will be on hand to shed light on the major gains or losses and what they might mean for the America’s Cup Challenger finals in Bermuda 2017.

Their insight will be broadcast across the Fan Zone in the Village via a jumbo screen which will feature live action on Saturday and Sunday as well as event highlights and local entertainment.

A Kids Zone will cater for all interest and activity levels with Henna and face painting, pottery making demonstrations, Sumo wrestling, mini golf, camel riding, model sailing and football trickster shows.