MUSCAT: Oman Sail’s high-performance 29er squad is preparing to take to the water at the 2026 29er European Championships, held on the scenic waters of Lake Lipno, Czech Republic, from August 1-8, 2026. Organised by Jachetní klub Černá v Pošumaví in
conjunction with the International 29er Class Association, the championship will host up to 18 high-octane races as elite youth skiff sailors from across the continent gather to compete for honours. Representing the nation over the course of the week-long event will be the talented pairs of Tamim al Balushi & Firas al Nabhani and Saud al Shaqsi & Saleh al Balushi. The delegation will be led by Team Leader Zakariya al Wahabi and French coach Fabrice Jaunet, both focused on guiding the young sailors through a demanding schedule of up to four races per day per fleet. The team arrives with strong momentum from recent international fixtures across Europe. At Kieler Woche 2026 in Germany 24–29 June, Tamim Al Balushi and Firas Al Nabhani delivered an impressive performance by finishing 36th overall in the Gold Fleet. This follows their solid outings at the Euro Cup Series in Lake Garda, Italy, in May, where Tamim al Balushi & Saleh al Balushi secured a top 10 finish in the Silver Fleet.
Meanwhile, the pairing of Saud al Shaqsi & Firas al Nabhani also showed exceptional pace in Garda's Silver Fleet, placing 21st overall and claiming a memorable victory in the ninth race of the ten-race series.
Zakariya al Wahabi, Team Leader, said, “Our high performance 29er team has made significant strides in racing maturity and both tactical and technical development over the summer.
Following strong performances in Italy and Germany against world-class fleets, the European Championship on Lake Lipnom provides another vital platform to test our sailors and support their ongoing growth as high performance athletes. The entire team is focused, motivated, and eager to represent the nation with pride on the international stage.” Fabrice Jaunet, 29er Team Coach, added, “Lake Lipno offers a dynamic freshwater racing environment that will test the fleet's adaptability and technical discipline. The team has shown great speed and resilience throughout our European tour, particularly with standout fleet finishes and race wins against top competition. We have been fine-tuning our racing, especially the starts and strategic positioning to maximise our results across all 18 races and aim for another solid outing at the 29er European Championships.”
Racing kicks off with the Qualifying Series from August 3-5 , before the fleet splits into the Final Series from August 6-8, culminating in the prize-giving ceremony on the evening of August 8. The 2026 29er European Championships represent a critical benchmark in Oman Sail’s summer high-performance pipeline. Following the regatta, the squad will immediately transition into intensive training ahead of their primary objective of the season: competing at the 20th Asian Games in Gamagori, Japan, in September 2026.
Oman Sail’s commitment to developing the youth of Oman extends beyond sailing by providing opportunities for life-long learning and leadership development where the skills learned on the water and in a high-performance environment can be applied to a multitude of situations. Oman Sail has also earned a reputation as a valued host venue, partner, and member of the world sailing community. By promoting the country regionally and internationally, Oman Sail
continues to welcome the world to its shores, utilising sport to deliver on the strategic objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
