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Salalah has geared up for EFG Sailing Arabia — The Tour, which is to kick start from Salalah Hawana on Sunday. The highlight of the 2018 edition of the Sailing Arabia event are a high-class international fleet of Diam 24 racers, which are ready for the competition.
The Diam 24 trimarans are parked at the event venue and finishing touches of the preparation is being reviewed as all the teams have arrived in Salalah. As in previous editions EFG Sailing Arabia — The Tour will see a mix of tactical coastal raids and high-intensity in-port racing.
A high profile launch event has been planned by the event organiser Oman Sail, which is working on a goal “to rekindle Oman’s maritime heritage while raising the country’s regional and international profile as a high-end tourist and foreign investment destination, through competitive sailing at home and abroad.”
The venue is important for Salalah, which is abuzz with charter tourists from many European countries. It would be an opportunity for them to witness an important international event in the backyard of their accommodation.
“Overall The Tour showcases Oman as an ideal winter sailing destination and an international stage for high-calibre sailing events. In its relatively brief history it has gained a global reputation, attracting world-class professional sailors and top amateur sailors alike,” said an Oman Sail official.
“In addition to delivering exciting and challenging racing, the all-new race course will take the fleet to some of the coastal gems of Oman including Salalah, Duqm, Barr al Hikman, Masirah, Ras al Hadd, Sur and Bandar al Khiran.”
Over an intensive 14 days the Tour will visit eight venues, and feature five coastal raids, some which go from one port to another, and five in-port races. The race yachts will be disassembled and transported between venues on some occasions.
Eight teams are participating in the competition in which five are from France. The teams are: Beijaflore, DB Schenker, EFG Bank Monaco, Team Lorina Golfe du Morbihan, Poujoulat, Renaissance, Team Oman Sail, and Vivacar.
The event offers a unique insight into the Sultanate of Oman’s culture, making the event an incredible adventure that goes far beyond offering fast and furious sailing. Top amateurs and professionals from Europe, North America and beyond compete in warm, sunny weather alongside the very best sailors and up and coming talent from the Sultanate of Oman.
Varied wind speeds provide exhilarating race conditions as each team competes on an identical Diam 24. With every team using the same boat, preparation, teamwork, technical skill, strategy and absolute professionalism determines the result, making EFG Sailing Arabia — The Tour a battle of wits designed to bring out the best in competing crews.
Kaushalendra Singh
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