Oman Sail will host the 3rd edition of the Arab Women’s Sailing Championship from 15–21 October 2026, bringing together an expected 30 female sailors from across the region to compete in Optimist, ILCA 4 and ILCA 6 at Barceló Mussanah Resort.
Registration is now open and Oman Sail encourages national teams and sailors from across the region to take part in this important event for the growth of women’s sailing in the region.
Organised by Oman Sail in co-operation with the Oman Maritime Sports Committee and the Arab Sailing Federation, the regatta will be part of Oman Sail’s 15th edition of Al Musannah Race Week, further establishing the event as one of the region’s premier sailing festivals and reinforcing Oman as a vibrant hub for competitive women's maritime sports.
Hosting this championship marks a natural next step for Oman Sail and builds directly upon the national team's impressive performance at the previous two editions. In Bahrain in 2024, Hadeel al Mushaifri won a bronze medal in the Optimist class, while in Kuwait last year Tarteel al Hasani won silver in the Optimist category, Hadeel al Mushaifri followed up her success the
previous year by finishing third in the ILCA 4 to take bronze while Ibtisam al Salmi won bronze in the ILCA 6 competition.
Abdulaziz bin Salim al Shidi, Oman Sail’s Acting Director of Sailing, said, “Hosting the 3rd Arab Women’s Sailing Championship is a momentous occasion for Oman Sail that underscores our commitment to elevating women's sports across the region. Following our team's fantastic performances in the past two editions, bringing this event to home waters at Barceló Mussanah Resort gives our athletes a familiar platform to compete at the highest level. We are confident that our infrastructure, combined with the determination of our sailors, will make this an unforgettable championship that inspires the next generation of female maritime talent.”
Shaikh Khalifa bin Abdullah al Khalifa President of the Arab Sailing Federation Stated: “We are delighted to see the Arab Women’s Sailing Championship continue to grow and bring together sailors from across the Arab world. This championship reflects our commitment to developing women’s sailing, strengthening cooperation among Arab nations and providing
athletes with the opportunity to compete at the highest level. We look forward to witnessing outstanding performances in Oman and to the continued growth of sailing throughout the region.
The Oman Sail Women's Sailing programme stands as a powerful example of how a sports initiative can be strategically aligned with the national development goals outlined in Oman Vision 2040. Oman Sail has been 2012 and in women’s sailing within the region since launching the first all-female team in 2012, and hosting the 3rd Arab Women’s Sailing Championship will be the next stage in Oman’s commitment to developing women’s sailing in the Arab world. By ensuring sailing offers equal opportunities, the programme serves as a high-impact catalyst for social change, contributing significantly to multiple pillars of the Vision, moving beyond sports to impact social, economic, and human capital development for the long-term benefit of
the nation.
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