2015 Dubai to Muscat Yacht Race preview

by Louay Habib on 27 Oct 2015 2015 Dubai to Muscat Yacht Race is organised by the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation, and Royal Ocean Racing Club and is hosted by the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club. It is the most prestigious and longest running offshore race in the region. This year's entry includes sailors from France, Germany, Great Britain, Holland, Kuwait, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.

Last year, British skipper, Doug Hassell, racing his Beneteau 44.7, Diablo, comprehensively broke the Dubai to Muscat Race record, taking five hours off the record set by Adrian Lee's Cookson 50, Lee Overlay Partners. The race record stands at one day 19 hours 52 mins 41 secs for the 350 mile race.

For the 2015 edition, Diablo is back to defend their win as is British skipper, Phil Ellerby racing X-45 Exodus which finished just under two hours behind Diablo last year. However, the favourite for Line Honours will be the Landmark 43, Atari 7, skippered by Max Weimer, with an experienced German crew. One of the smallest yacht's taking part will be Dehler 32, Meerkat, skippered by Hans Kuijt. Meerkat's crew includes Dale Kushner; a past Commodore of the Royal Cape YC, South Africa and winner of the Two-Handed Class in the last edition of the Cape to Rio Race.

“The Dubai to Muscat Race is the premier offshore race currently in the Gulf, this will be my first race and I have wanted to take part for many years.” commented Meerkat crew, Dale Kushner. “The race is tactically very complex with the potential for wind conditions to change very quickly due to the land effects and the potential of a strong northerly wind called the Shamal producing challenging conditions. Passing through the Straits of Hormuz will be tricky, due to significant tides and the last section of the race, in the open waters of the Indian Ocean, adds another dimension. Whilst we don't expect to be with the front runners on the water, Meerkat can do very well after IRC time correction and we will be hoping for the right conditions for our configuration.”

All yachts in the Dubai to Muscat Race are fitted with Xtra-Link Satellite equipment, including trackers.