Oman Open Laser Championship 2010 held at Ras al Hamra Boat Club

by Tony van Thiel on 27 Apr 2010 The VOLVO 2010 RAHBC Oman Open Championship for Lasers was sailed for the 28th time last weekend from the beach off the Ras al Hamra Recreation Centre. 32 Sailors competed in the event organised by the Ras Al Hamra Boat Club (RAHBC) and the Oman Laser Association (OLA) with participants from Oman Sail, Qatar National Sailing team, Bahrain, Castaways (Civil Aviation Recreation Club) and RAHBC. Lasers with a Standard, Radial or 4.7 sail competed for the Open (all boats) or the Radial Cup. The Radial Cup was limited to those sailing all races with a Radial sail.

Waleed Al Sharshani from Qatar came out on top in both the Open and Radial classes with 9 points (out of 8 races with one discard). Second place, again Open and Radial, was for Hassan Al Tamimi also from Qatar (15 points) with Alexander Rice following as third in the open class with 28 points and Assad Al Hooti from Oman Sail in the Radial class. Assad was also the best Omani Sailor with seventh position in the Open. All these winners are youngsters aged 15 to 18. They beat the older and more experienced sailors in some very competitive racing. Well done for the youth. A great sailing future lies ahead for them.

The first racing day saw very strong easterly winds throughout the day. Wind speeds from 15 to 20 knots created very demanding conditions. Five races were held, and the scene was immediately set by the youngsters of the Qatar national team making 1 and 2 in each of the races. The radial sail was the better choice in this heavy weather. The battle for positions 3 to 6 was severe with the older RAHBC sailors Dave Clark, Tony van Thiel and Stephen Rice trying to beat 15 yr old Alexander Rice. Alexander came out as third at the end of the day.

On Friday the wind was again blowing strongly. Just a notch less power full than the day before, creating excellent sailing conditions which most of the fleet managed well. The lighter sailors wisely decided to use the smaller radial and 4.7 sails. Three races were held and Mohammed al Zaini from Qatar won them all. Mohammed sailed the standard sail which on day 1 created too much power leaving him in only ninth place. With slightly less wind there was no stopping him! The first day 1/2/3 placed sailors Waleed, Hassan and Alexander continued strongly leaving only the fourth and lower places for the seniors.

Prizes kindly sponsored by VOLVO-MHD were awarded to all participants by Rakesh Malhotra of Volvo-MHD. VOLVO has a long history in their link with sailing in the world, and has been the title sponsor for this event for three years now.

Tony van Thiel (OLA Chair and event organiser) thanked the Officers Of the Day (OOD's) Andrew Faulkner and Peter Argument for the first-rate management of the races. He also thanked all the competitors for taking part, the RAHRC staff and management for the great facilities, and VOLVO-MHD for the sponsorship.

Laser sailing is a fantastic sport which can be practiced in Oman throughout the year. In strong winds the sailing is very physical; the boat gives you a great workout. With Oman's strong history of sailing, good winds, beautiful beaches and deep blue sea, Laser sailing has the potential to become a true national sport with the prospectl of Omani participation in world class events such as the Asian and Olympic games.

The Oman Sail Academy (http://www.omansail.com) has started training young Omanis and a strong National squad of Laser sailors is emerging. The 2010 Asian Beach Games which will be held in Oman in December will also feature Lasers as one of the sailing events. Keep training!

For full details and more pictures of the event see:
http://www.rahbc.pdorc.com/Sailing/Sailraces/2010-OLA-Nationals.htm

No Name Points Comment
1. Waleed Al Sharshani (Qatar – Radial) 9 Open & Radial first Place
2. Hassan Al Tamimi (Qatar – Radial) 15 Open & Radial second Place
3. Alexander Rice (RAHBC) 28 Open third Place (and youngest)
4. Tony van Thiel (RAHBC) 33
5. Mohamed Al Zaini (Qatar) 39
6. Dave Clark (RAHBC) 39
7. Assad Al Hooti (Oman Sail – Radial) 47 Radial third Place & first Omani
8. Stephen Rice (RAHBC) 48
9. Majid Al Mageni (Oman Sail - Radial) 58 2nd Omani
10. Abdulaziz Almahmeed (Bahrain - Radial) 72
11. Ahmed Al Mashari (Oman Sail - Radial) 75 3rd Omani
12. Ahmed Al Wahaibi (Oman Sail - Radial) 91
13. Victoria Grainger (RAHBC) 94 Best Lady
14. Abdulaziz Al Mashari (Oman Sail - Radial) 96
15. Mohammed Al Wahaibi (Oman Sail - Radial) 113
16. Richard Williamson (Casteways) 115
17. Suheil Al Mayahi (Oman Sail - Radial) 123
18. Aly Brandenburg (RAHBC - Radial) 128
19. Joost Bloemart (RAHBC) 136
20. David Boeyinga (RAHBC - Radial) 151
21. Fred Park (RAHBC) 154
22. Karienke Querner (RAHBC - Radial) 158
23. Neville Hallett (Casteways) 158
24. Paul-Henri van Thiel (RAHBC) 163
25. Anne Love (RAHBC) 183
26. Jonathan Evans (RAHBC) 184
27. Abdulhakeem Al-Kiyumi (Casteways) 184
28. Victor Ogg (RAHBC) 200
29. Rob Nieuwenhuijs (RAHBC) 202
30. Osman Bilal (RAHBC) 207
31. Peter Evans (Casteways) 221 Great Grand Master
32. Gabriel Carrasquel (RAHBC) 222