Qatar Sail the Gulf 2016 - Day 4

Qatar Sail the Gulf 2016 day 2 © Jayaram Korambil

We are back in Doha where the Sail the Gulf Regatta 2016 is really starting to hot up. With a growing fleet and greater variety of classes the regatta is a shop window for Qatar's fast developing sailing programme.

Despite facing an international fleet Qatar's sailors are performing better than ever thanks to quality coaching and the latest equipment.

But the sport is growing at club level too and the hope is that young Qataris competing here this week will continue to spread the message that sailing is for everyone and also great fun!

After days of strong winds and gusty conditions which have tested all the young sailors here in Qatar, today saw much lighter winds and warmer weather which gave the lighter athletes a chance to shine and gain more valuable experience on the race track.

The plan here is to encourage youngsters to make the most of what's on their doorstep and to encourage them to sail. And they'll learn in mixed conditions, sometimes blowy, like the previous three days here, and sometimes lighter, like today.

Whatever the weather the Qatari sailors competing here improve every year with results beginning to prove the sport is gaining ground in the country.

The best placed Qatari in the regatta Waleed Al-Sharshani had another good day in the Laser - his results cementing his position in second overall. The only man ahead of him is Olympian Kairulnizam Afendy of Malaysia.

Young Malaysians are also dominating in the Optimist class. Mohamed Rani is way out front, one of four compatriots in the top five. However Almoustasim Alfarsi of Oman is fighting hard to hold onto second place.

Qatari Faris Al Bakri will go into the final day within touching distance of silver in the Laser Radial. He's just a couple of points behind second placed Malaysian girl Kairunita Afendy.

Oman are almost guaranteed at least a bronze medal in the Laser 4.7. Their sailors sit third, fourth and fifth overall and look unlikely to be caught. By the same token leader Asmawi Azman of Malaysia looks unlikely to be toppled on the final day.

The Hobie class continues to be led by the British but Qatari Hasan Al Bakker remains in the hunt for third but will need to close a 6 point gap on the third placed boat from Kazakhstan.

The sheer pleasure of sailing is at the heart of this event. But equally, recognition of achievement is at the forefront of any competition, so watch out for tomorrow's final day of racing and of course the big awards ceremony!