Muscat – Fifty sailors from Oman Sail’s youth sailing squad have arrived in Ras Al Hadd for a summer training camp to prepare for upcoming 2023 Pan Arab Games in Algeria from July 8 to13 , as well as national championships. Starting on 1 June and running through until the end of August, sailors in the Optimist, ILCA 4, ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 classes will take part in daily fitness sessions with Oman Sail coaches, as well as learning about nutrition and boat safety.
A select group of 15 Optimist, iQFOiL, ILCA 4, ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 sailors will also be heading to Türkiye for a specialist training camp to hone their skills and make final preparations before the Pan Arab Games get underway. During this time the squad will also take part in a local championship in Izmir.
Mohsin al Busaidy, Oman Sail’s Head of Performance, said, “The experience of training in Ras Al Hadd and Türkiye will help create an encouraging environment for our sailors ahead of a busy period. We have a plan in place and the experience of training and learning from each other helps to foster a sense of camaraderie within the squad. This group of sailors is very talented and determined, and we are confident the team will be fully prepared to represent Oman.”
Oman Sail’s Head of Sailing School, Ahmed al Qasmi, added, “There is great depth in our youth squad across all five classes and we are committed to ensuring the sailors are well prepared for the upcoming season and beyond. Instilling technical and behavioural habits at an early stage helps to create the positive mentality that will prepare the team for competition both now and in the coming years as part of Oman Sail’s national team squad.”
The training camp in Ras Al Hadd will also see Oman Sail launch a new community sailing programme to help introduce local children to the sport. Up to 100 children will have the opportunity to try sailing with free lessons from the Oman Sail coaches for the three-month duration of the training camp.
Sailing at the 2023 Pan Arab Games will be held on the coast of Algeria from 5-13 July with sailors from member nations of the Arab League competing in six events. The season continues with the Oman Sailing Championship in Ras Al Hadd from 24-28 August, and Al Musannah Race Week at Barceló Mussanah Resort from 18-24 October.
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