Oman Sail has confirmed Muscat as one of eight venues to be hosting the prestigious Extreme Sailing Series in 2015. For the past four years, Oman’s capital city has successfully entertained world famous sailing crews and their support teams, taking part in the high status Extreme 40 circuit which started in 2007. In all but one of those years, Omani teams representing The Wave, Muscat and Oman Air have swept to victory, the local knowledge among the Sultanate’s best sailors including Hashim Al Rashdi, Musab Al Hadi and Nasser Al Mashari proving invaluable in developing winning strategies.
In 2015, the Extreme 40 teams will visit Muscat from March 11th – 14th for Act 2 of the Extreme Sailing Series following the opening Act in Singapore in February.
"We are delighted to welcome the Extreme Sailing Series back to Muscat for a fifth consecutive year,” said Oman Sail CEO David Graham. “This globally acclaimed stadium sailing event is an integral part of our Omani sailors' training programme and provides our sponsors with an efficient platform to reach their target audiences around the world.
“Hosting international sailing events is central to Oman Sail's strategy of using the power of sport to promote Oman and contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.”
With its consistent breeze and sunny weather, the Sultanate is being selected as venue host for an increasing number of international sailing events including the RC44 Championship Tour, which is renowned for attracting powerful high net worth individuals skippering high performance yachts with elite professional crews. Last year, Mussanah Sports City won the rights to host three back to back Laser World Championships, which put the venue on the map for its superb climate and well developed infrastructure, capable of easily accommodating large numbers. Between November 2013 and January this year, almost 400 sailors took to the water as part of their Olympic campaigns, their Laser youth racing careers or their Masters programme in a series of regattas that won acclaim from the sailors, officials and visitors for their organization and management.
With the growth of Oman Sail’s sailing schools at The Wave, Muscat, Mussanah, Bandar Al Rowdha and Sur, it is hoped that more sailing events, in the Middle East and further afield will choose Oman as host venue.
The Extreme Sailing Series is a unique sailing event, famously billed as ‘formula one of sailing’ racing, where teams compete on small Stadium Racing courses, in iconic city-centre locations around the world watched by massive crowds. Each of the eight Acts in 2015 will be contested over four days including one day of potential open water racing traditionally reserved for media followed by three days of Stadium Racing open to public and VIP guests.
