Going Out: The 360-mile Dubai to Muscat race is a nautical challenge

Jay Asser 10:19 26/10/2015
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  • Laying down the marker: New records have been set by the winners.

    Sailing lovers, here’s your last chance to hit the open waters and take part in the annual Dubai to Muscat sailing yacht race.

    This year, the 24th edition of the race gets under way on Thursday before concluding on Tuesday, November 3.

    All keen sailors in the region are encouraged to join and try their hand at off-shore sailing with the 360-mile race.

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    The race’s path begins in Dubai and traces up past Northern Emirates, through the waters of Mus-andam and the Strait of Hormuz before turning south through the Gulf of Oman.

    Not only is the event the longest off-shore race in the region, but it’s the only one recognised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club.

    This year’s race comes on the heels of two consecutive years of broken records.

    In 2013, Adrian Lee in his Cookson 50 Lee Overlay and Partners broke a 13-year record, while David Worrall and Shahrazad came in second against a challenging 30 knots of gusting winds.

    Last year, Doug Hassell at the helm of Diablo set a course record of one day, 19 hours, 52 minutes and 41 seconds, followed by Phil Ellerby just two hours behind.

    Demanding: The Dubai to Muscat race is the longest off-shore competition in the region.

    Kuwait’s Fawzi Sultan, who was forced to take shelter against 40 knots of wind, is looking forward to another opportunity: “This year we are very excited, with a much racier J122 boat and looking forward to offering serious competition to the many excellent teams in this challenging race.”

    Worrall, the technical co-ordinator for the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation, said: “Sailing in the UAE is a fast growing sport, helped with the high profile of successful local and international sailors like Ian Walker and Adil Khalid, the Emirati sailor who began in dinghies and went onto become an international name after twice sailing the global marathon that is the Volvo Ocean Race.”

    All entries for the race must submitted by midnight tomorrow, October 27.

    Teams looking for more crew should contact the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club.

    Scrutineering will take place at Dubai Offshore Racing Club between today and Wednesday.

    Get ready to take an adventure on the Gulf’s waters and challenge your nautical skills.

    What: Dubai Muscat Race
    Where: From Dubai to Muscat, headquartered at Dubai Offshore Sailing Club
    When: Race runs from October 29 to November 3, with scrutineering from October 26-28
    Contact: Register at www.DOSC.ae, www.SARF.ae or by reaching David Worrall at [email protected].

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