Tactical battles intensify on Day 2 of Musannah Race Week

MUSCAT, OCT 20
Oman’s Khaled bin Yahya al Sarihi retained the Optimist lead, while Bahrain’s Dawood Abdullah moved to the top of ILCA 7 as competition intensified on the second day of the 15th Musannah Race Week and the 3rd Arab Women’s Sailing Championship at Barceló Musannah Resort.
Four additional races were completed across the Optimist, ILCA 4, ILCA 6, ILCA 7 and Para Inclusive Hansa 303 classes, with stronger winds and tight racing testing the sailors ahead of the final day.
In the women’s Optimist competition, Egypt’s Laila Mohamed won three of the day’s four races to strengthen her position at the top of the category, finishing sixth overall. Oman’s Abeer bint Khalil al Zakwani remained second among the women, five points behind Mohamed, after securing one victory and three other strong finishes. Bahrain’s Dana Abdullah held third place.
Al Sarihi continued to lead the overall Optimist standings after recording three podium finishes. India’s Krishna Venkitachalam moved into second following a race victory, while Oman’s Mohammed bin Ziyad al Qasmi was placed third after securing a win and a runner-up finish.
Egypt’s Karma Waleed maintained her ILCA 4 lead by winning the final two races of the day. Oman’s Hood bin Saad al Nofli moved into second, ahead of the UAE’s Abdulrahman al Bahri. Oman’s Tarteel bint Zaid al Hasani finished fourth overall and second in the women’s category, while compatriot Hadeel bint Yousef al Mushairfi was ranked third among the women.
STRONG WIND
Waleed said: “I am happy to maintain my lead and hope to continue performing well in the remaining races. Today’s racing was challenging, particularly with the stronger winds and boats competing closely together. This is my second time competing at Musannah Race Week, having previously participated in 2022. The event offers excellent organisation, varied sailing conditions and strong competition.”
Tunisia’s Ines Nabel Gmati strengthened her position in women’s ILCA 6 with two wins and two second-place finishes, extending her overall advantage to one point. Egypt’s Kholoud Mostafa was ranked second among the women, while Kuwait’s Ameena Shah took third. The UAE’s Simeon Hristov remained second overall, with Oman’s Elyas bin Bader al Fadhali eighth.
In ILCA 7, Bahrain’s Abdullah recorded two wins and a second-place finish to overtake Oman’s Al Mutasim bin Hamoud al Farsi. The UAE’s Hamza bin Ismail al Ali remained third.

Al Ali said he was pleased to return to the top three after a break of nearly 15 months, adding that his experience helped him adapt to the challenging winds. Al Farsi said the conditions demanded high physical fitness and adaptability, and he hoped to improve in the remaining races.
The Para Inclusive Hansa 303 competition saw Buthaina al Balushi and Malik al Qartoobi take the lead with three consecutive victories. Anwer al Balushi and Adil al Siyabi moved into second, followed by Anas al Hashmi and Ahmed al Araimi.
Project Manager Hamad al Yahmadi said the championships were providing a platform to develop young talent, expand women’s participation in marine sports and strengthen regional cooperation.
Principal Race Officer Marina Psychogiou praised Oman’s race management team for its professionalism in coordinating two courses, including one for inclusive sailing and another accommodating approximately 85 boats across four classes. She also highlighted the presence of two women in senior race management and judging roles.
The closing ceremony and prize presentation will be held under the auspices of Shaikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah al Hinai, Ambassador-at-Large at the Foreign Ministry, in presence of Arab Sailing Federation President Shaikh Khalifa bin Abdullah al Khalifa, and Oman Sail CEO Dr Khamis bin Salim al Jabri.
The championships support Oman Sail’s efforts to develop national talent and promote women’s participation in sport, strengthening Oman’s position as an international sailing and sports tourism destination in line with Oman Vision 2040. Renaissance Services is the title partner, with support from the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MoHT) and other national and regional partners.