Muscat: Oman Sail’s team has excelled in the first stages of the Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour in Italy, held in port cities along the Italian coast from 26 August through to 28 September, finishing in the top three positions every day so far and leading the overall ranking.
Currently in Italy are Team Captain, Nasser Al Mashari, Hussain Al Jabri, Ali Al Balushi, Haitham Al Wahaibi and Akram Al Wahaibi. The crew opened the tournament with two first place finishes and a second place, finishing first overall in Genova on day one in strong winds. In Rome they claimed the second place in the overall standings of the leg but managed to come back to top position in Gaeta. The fourth leg in Naples saw the team’s skill on the water and determination shone through, which led to them maintaining their overall lead.
Nasser Al Mashari, Oman Sail team captain, said, “We are incredibly pleased with our performance this week. After such a long time away from competition, it’s great to see we are working together as a team, understanding the DIAM24 boat and the wind, and staying focused to the end of the day. I am proud of the entire team. We now take this momentum forward to the second week in Brindisi, Bari, Marina di Ravennathen to the finals in Venice.”
Following the tour, the team will head to Switzerland to join a bigger 12-man Omani team that is preparing for the Star Sailors League. They will join Hashim Al Rashdi, Yassir Al Rahbi, Waleed Al Kindi, Musab Al Hadi, Ahmed Al Hasani, AbdulRahman Al Mashari and Raad Al Hadi to compete against professionals from around the world. Following the conclusion of the Star Sailors League, the team will return to Oman ahead of a busy winter season on home waters which sees Oman Sail host seven major tournaments, including the 2021 World Youth Sailing Championships, 2021 49er, 49er FX & Nacra 17 World Championships, and the 2021 ICLA Radial World Championships headed to these shores.
Oman Sail will also organise the 2021 49er, 49er FX & Nacra 17 Asian Championships and 2021 Asian Windsurfing Championships, alongside regular fixtures in Oman’s sailing calendar when the Mussanah Race Week and Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2021 return to close out the year as the competitive sailing spotlight shines on the Sultanate.
