An event to inaugurate the 2016 Dubai to Muscat offshore race was held at Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (DOSC) in September. DOSC is the largest sailing club in Dubai,  and is a focal point for all levels of sailing including junior cadets, Emirati and private school programs and Sailability assisted sailing as well as having a full calendar of IRC handicap rule rated racing.

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The race is scheduled for four days and 20 hours, departing from DOSC in Dubai on 10th November and ending at 6:00 p.m. on 14th November at Al Mouj Marina in Muscat. Upwards of 30 boats have expressed interest and begun the registration process for this silver anniversary edition of the race.

The Dubai to Muscat Race is organised by the United Arab Emirates Sailing and Rowing Federation (UAE SARF), in association with Oman’s Ministry of Sports Affairs, and recognised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC). The course is over 300 nautical miles up the coast of the UAE, around the straits of Hormuz and south east across the Persian Gulf to Muscat. It is the longest and most prestigious non-stop competitive offshore race in the Gulf region.

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After record breaking races in 2013 and 2014, the 2016 race is expected to feature the largest number of entries in the history of the event with over 30 monohulls and catamarans racing in IRC and club classes, including two Volvo 60s, frequently described as the “Formula 1” boat of yachting. In 2013, Adrian Lee broke a 13-year record for the course, crossing the finish line at Muscat in a time of two days, 53 minutes and 40 seconds. In 2014, two boats broke the 2013 record. Doug Hassell at the helm of Diablo set a course record of one day, 19 hours, 52 minutes and 41 seconds, followed by Phil Ellerby just two hours behind.

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A series of events have been planned to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the race, including a Race Village at Umm Suqeim 1 Fishing Harbour and the Sohar education program, a new initiative designed to introduce racing to a new generation.

For the duration of the race, the Race Village will be open to the public and will feature live feeds from competitors, market stalls, children’s entertainment, sailing taster sessions, and food and beverage trucks.

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From September, students from five GEMS Education schools enrolled in the education program will learn aspects of sailing including navigation, meteorology, boat construction, fishing and marine management, and sailing event management.

At the event last month, representatives from the schools, children and teachers met with skippers and sponsors who will be educating the children. The children visited various boats that will be partaking in the Dubai to Muscat Yacht Race, as well as the Pindar Sailing Volvo 60, the formula one equivalent of sailing.

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David Worrall, Technical Co-ordinator of the Sailing and Rowing Federation of the UAE said afterwards “We are so grateful for all of the support from the schools, from the sponsors, and from Pindar Sailing who brought the Volvo 60 up from Abu Dhabi for the event”, we are also very grateful to Dubai Offshore Sailing Club for their incredible support of the event.”


Words + Photos by: Provided