Record fleet gets ready for 360 miles Aramex Dubai to Muscat Offshore Sailing Race
by Andy Rice 29 Jan 22:48 GMT
31 January 2026
The race is open to monohulls and multihulls © Mikey Brignall / DOSC / DIMC
This Saturday, 31 January 2026, a record-breaking fleet will cross the start line at the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (DOSC) to embark on the 33rd edition of the Aramex Dubai to Muscat Offshore Sailing Race (D2M). For the 33 boats competing, the 360-nautical mile offshore race is one of the most challenging and rewarding sailing events in the region.
The race will take the fleet through the shallow and tactically demanding waters of the Arabian Gulf, through the bottleneck of the Strait of Hormuz, and into the deep, rolling swell of the Indian Ocean.
For the navigators, the D2M can be a marathon of sleep deprivation. The 'corner' at the Strait of Hormuz is the ultimate gatekeeper, where the fleet must keep an eye out for supertankers and other shipping traffic while they navigate narrow channels, with the imposing Omani mountains in the distance.
Race Director David Worrall commented: "We are seeing a big surge in interest this year, with 33 boats signed up, the biggest entry we have ever seen. It's the longest offshore challenge in the region, and we're pushing to make this a bucket-list event for the international offshore circuit."
Keelboats and Multihulls on the start line
The 2026 entry list reflects the growing diversity of the Gulf's sailing scene. From high-tech IRC racing machines to doublehanded crews and the ever-present multihull division, the D2M offers a challenge for all types of offshore competitors.
For Hamad Al Mutawaa, sailing on the yacht El Seraya, the draw of the race remains as potent as ever. "The draw of the Dubai to Muscat race is simple: it's a proper offshore test. You get everything in one race - pressure, traffic, current, shifting breeze - and you have to earn every mile. That's what makes the finish in Muscat feel so good."
The Logistics Race
Title sponsor Aramex continues to play a key role in promoting and supporting the growth of the annual event. In a race that crosses international borders, the logistics of moving crews and equipment between the UAE and Oman is the race behind the race.
Speaking of the race, Daniel Nuss, Global Marketing Director at Aramex, said: "This race captures the ambition and performance that define Aramex. As the fleet begins its 360 mile challenge, we see how strong logistics and teamwork can elevate sporting excellence across the region. Our support is about today's race and the future of sport, innovation and logistics working together to inspire the next generation."
As the skippers and navigators scan the long-range weather forecast for the region, the nerves and excitement are building. The fierce tides and waves in the Strait of Hormuz are some of the biggest obstacles on the route, but there are plenty of hazards and opportunities to consider between Dubai and the finish line at Marina Bandar Al Rowdha in Muscat.
The race record of 1 day, 19 hours, 52 minutes, and 41 seconds (set by Diablo in 2014) will be hard to beat. Whether 2026 provides the strong winds needed to surpass that mark, we'll have to see.
Sian Rowlands was one half of the first all-female doublehanded crew in a past edition. This time she is sailing on the doublehanded yacht Twister with her brother-in-law Matt Britton. "People talk about the record, but the Aramex Dubai to Muscat race is never just a speed run - it's won on judgement as much as pace. The forecast can look punchy, then Hormuz makes you slow down, think ahead, and stay sharp around traffic when you're already running on sleep fumes. The crews who get it right are the ones still making good decisions at 3am. That's the real race."
The 2026 Aramex D2M is organised by the United Arab Emirates Sailing & Rowing Federation (UAE SARF) and Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (DOSC) in association with the Oman Maritime Sports Committee.
To follow the race, go to www.dubaitomuscatrace.com or @doscuae on Instagram