IRC placings awarded in the Dubai to Muscat Race

IRC victory for Atari 7 in the Dubai to Muscat Race © UAE Sailing & Rowing Federation

Gilles Chiorri of Yachts Consulting, Race Director of the Dubai to Muscat Yacht Race today formally announced the results of the Dubai to Muscat Silver Anniversary Yacht Race under IRC rules. Taking home the solid silver trophy "Sohar" as well as Line Honours trophy will be Hannes Waimer and his crew from Atari 7.

Hannes said yesterday, "Atari 7 was the first boat we ever built and when she came up for sale we decided to buy her back. She has sailed the last two Dubai to Muscat Yacht races and has done us proud, coming first over the line in both races."

Hannes continued "We are a team who has sailed together for twenty years and that has a great advantage, but so does the composition of the boat. Being so light weight she was designed to be competitive even in light airs."

Oman Sail's Fahad Al Hasni came second place with his all Omani crew on Renaissance, a Farr 30 used to the waters of the Gulf, being a regular contender in Sailing Arabia-The Tour. Fahad said "We are delighted with our result and proud that as a fully Omani crewed boat, we were able to achieve it. The wind speeds along the course were shifty and this makes our performance in this competition all the more significant, as this challenge was a true test of teamwork. We are particularly pleased with this result as we were using the Dubai Muscat race as a training platform in preparation for EFG Sailing Arabia-The Tour. We're now looking forward to putting all the skills we've developed in this competition to the test when the race kicks off in Muscat early next year."

In third place was Playmate, skippered by Maarten van der Harst, a Dehler 34 from Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, Sailing the Dubai to Muscat for the third time, skippering his own boat for the first time, Maarten said "We had to fight hard for our 3rd place. We stuck to our strategy, playing the angles of the wind we had rather than hunting down the wind. We are very pleased with our result and we will definitely do it next year."

Lack of wind led to two more retirees from the race, as both Magic, a Kauffman CT 49 and Omnia, a Beneteau Oceanis 31, were forced by light winds to turn on their engines.

Drama unfolded on Magic while motoring in, as a pin holding the propeller to the boat burst and immediate repairs whilst at sea were necessary.

ARN's own Richard Boullemier was on board Magic for his first offshore race, reporting daily for ARN. When asked of his experience Richard said "Getting out on the open seas must be on your bucket list and Dubai is so brilliantly set up for sailing, you shouldn't miss out. It's fair to say we experienced the highs and lows, a fantastic day on day 2 and really getting to see what sailing is all about, exhilaration and danger mixed together, wondering if its ever going to calm down, followed by too much calm. Although you get the chance to take in your surroundings, get to know your crew better and appreciate the sea, the world we live in. Even up to the last minute you have be on your toes because anything can happen at sea."

Dubai to Muscat Race 2016 - photo © UAE Sailing & Rowing Federation

Gilles Chiorri of Yachts Consulting said "Firstly I would like to say how proud we are of Switchblade, who pushed to the end to complete the race and we can be proud of their persistence. A lot of people who take part are hardworking expatriates, who give up so much time preparing the boat, the race itself and then getting the boat back. It is a big commitment. The course is challenging, with either lots of wind, or no wind and the second part of this race proved to be case. Still the sailors are happy, they have seen amazing wildlife, dolphins, sharks, sea snakes, turtles. The clarity of the sky at night, with regular shooting stars, makes this one of the top 10 races that any serious sailor should add to their bucket list."

David Worrall, on behalf of the Sailing and Rowing Federation of the UAE said, "Thank you to all of our sponsors, Dubai Customs for the great send off, to Xtra-Link and Thuraya for the equipment and tracking supply, to GAC for helping with the immigration. To Gilles and Guillaume for the excellent Race management. Their work has been exemplary. A special thank you also to Dubai Offshore Sailing Club and their committee and especially Mohammed, for their operational support and hospitality."

"The next race will be in March 2018, as we tie in closer with other maritime events and sailing organisations."

www.dubaitomuscatrace.com