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New Al Mouj skipper exudes confidence

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By Haridev Pushparaj — MUSCAT: Feb 14 - On a windy Tuesday, the setting was just perfect for 75 sailors in attendance for the EFG Sailing Arabia — The Tour 2017 at the Al Mouj Marina. Al Mouj Sailing Team, who were runner’s up last year to eventual winners EFG Bank Monaco, are looking to go one step further this time around. New skipper Christian Ponthieu, stepping into the shoes of Nico Lunven, was excited about the new season and it’s possibilities. “The plan is to do the same things as last year. Main plan is to win (smiles). Last year our beginning was not good. We want to correct that,’’ he added. Ponthieu also said they would also make some technical changes.


“In terms of technical things, it would be mostly navigation where we would try something different,’’ the Frenchman added.


Ponthieu also said the conditions were just perfect for the sailors and his team would make the most of it.


“The weather is very good now and the wind is strong too, so it’s the best conditions we can ask for,’’ he added. Ponthieu was all praise for his Omani crew members Sultan al Balushi and Nawaf al Ghadani. “They are very good people, very talented professionals and I am glad to be working with them,’’ he added.


Sultan especially came in for praise from Ponthieu considering he is the youngest Omani sailor to be certified internationally.


“Oh he is very helpful on the boat and I was witness to that last year, so we just did two-three days of training,’’ he added.


Talking about his main competitors, Ponthieu mentioned the usual suspects.


“EFG Monaco is the best team, Team Averda are looking good, so yeah,’’ Ponthieu concluded.


SULTAN OPTIMISTIC


“The new season is going to be windy, everyone is happy with their positions,’’ Sultan said. “I feel I have improved a lot since I first started sailing and it has been quite an exciting journey,’’ he added.


RENAISSANCE UPBEAT


Team Renaissance skipper Fahad al Hasni expected a tough race but was hopeful of putting up a good show.


“This year we are sailing with seven persons. We have more weight. It’s the first day of leg one. Hope to be in good position for Sohar,’’ he said.


“The main challenge is ofcourse going to be the wind. When we are starting from Oman the wind is coming from north, against the wind it is always difficult,’’ the experienced Fahad, competing in his seventh SATT, stated.


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