Muscat Regatta - Inshore Dinghy Racing. The inshore dinghy regatta will be held at Marina Bandar Al Rowdha January 17th and18th 2014 - We look forward to seeing you there!

Category Archives: Chairman’s Cup

Glittering Prize Giving

0
Posted by steve on November 24, 2012 – 1:45 pm
Filed under Chairman's Cup, Dinghy Regatta

new3

The Gala Prize Giving for the Dubai to Muscat Race and the inshore regatta was hosted by The Chairman of the Muscat Regatta, Saleem Q. Al-Zawawi at Bandar Al Rowdha Marina. His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Omar Al Marhoon, the Minister of the Civil Service for Oman was the Guest of Honour, joined by His Excellency Ahmed bin Nasser bin Hamed Al Mahrizi Ministry of Tourism and His Highness Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Bin Saqr Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Sailing & Rowing Federation.

The Chairman of the Muscat Regatta, Saleem Q. Al-Zawawi has been the driving force behind the regatta’s success. In just four years, The Muscat Regatta has blossomed into an international event recognised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club. In his welcoming address, the Chairman encapsulated the aims and goals of The Muscat Regatta

“The predominant feature of this year’s regatta has again been the wonderful sportsmanship shown by all competitors. The future of yacht racing is in the hands of these youngsters and from what we have seen over the past two days, we have every reason to be optimistic about competitive sailing in Oman. What is more, sailing teaches our young children values in life such as: determination and above all a love for nature.”
From its beginning, the Muscat Regatta has enjoyed the support of the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Sports Affairs in Oman and many sponsors have contributed to the success. Notably Oman’s leading communications company Nawras and Oman Air but not forgetting; BAE Systems, Muriya Tourism, Aston Martin Oman, The Muscat Intercontinental Hotel, Eurocopter and MBDA France.

Prior to prizes being awarded for the inshore regatta, class winners of The Dubai to Muscat Race took the stage to receive their trophies. HH Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Bin Saqr Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Sailing & Rowing Federation had come to Muscat from the Emirate to congratulate the winners.
The prize giving was a joyous occasion with a steady stream of proud young Omanis and sailors from overseas, proudly collecting their awards with a partisan audience of 300 cheering every sailor, some as young as eight years of age. Probably the biggest cheer of the night was for the All-girl Farr 30 crew, Al Thuraya. Five of the eight-girl team are young Omani women and over six intense races, Al Thuraya was triumphant in the IRC division. Nawras CEO, Ross Cormack was on hand to welcome the team, an iPhone 5 was an additional prize but as the team was of eight, Nawras generously decided to give each one of the girls the latest smartphone.
With the inshore regatta completed, the organisers of The Muscat Regatta have turned their attention to the main Regatta event; The Muscat to Khasab Bank of Beirut Chairman’s Cup race. This is the third edition of the 230-mile race. 13 Yachts competing under the RORC IRC system will be vying for a share of the $50,000 prize fund, generously donated by The Bank of Beirut.

The Royal Navy of Oman won the first race back in 2009 and return to compete along with last year’s winner, Calum McKie’s Boracic. This year sees the largest and most competitive fleet ever. David Worrall’s Shahrazad is the inform yacht having won the Dubai to Muscat Race last week. Dee Caffari’s all women team, with five Omani crew, make their debut offshore race.
GWM Racing will once again manage The Bank of Beirut Chairman’s Cup Race to Khasab. Starting at noon on Saturday 24th November, the yachts are expected to reach Khasab over the next few days with a grand prize giving in the remote northern province of Oman scheduled for Wednesday, 28th November.

Dubai based communications company, Xtra-Link has equipped the yachts with the latest satellite communications equipment. Including Thuraya XT satellite phones and hi-tech tracking devices. Allowing race fans, all over the world, to watch the race live. http://www.xtra-track.com/regatta

Final Report : 21st Dubai to Muscat Race

0
Posted by steve on November 22, 2012 – 6:12 am
Filed under Chairman's Cup, Dinghy Regatta

news-image6

Recognised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, the 2012 Dubai to Muscat Yacht Race is organised by the UAE Sailing & Rowing Federation and hosted by the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club. HH Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Bin Saqr Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Sailing & Rowing Federation was the guest of honour for the start.

After three and a half days of racing the prestigious Dubai to Muscat Race came to a conclusion with all yachts accounted for on the morning of Thursday, 22nd November. Racing under the RORC’S IRC Rule, the overall winner of the race was announced as Doug Worrall’s First 36.7, Shahrazad, which also claimed line honours.

“We stayed out of trouble and kept going, it was as simple as that.” Suggested Doug Worral “We stayed offshore at the start in the Arabian Gulf, to keep away from fishing nets and we got the added bonus of more wind than the yachts that chose the inshore option. Later in the race, after we rounded Khasab, we could see a terrific storm ahead and we prepared to reef and eased sheets to avoid it, this good seamanship was rewarded as we managed to skirt around the edge of the storm and in control, we had excellent boat speed.

I have always maintained that the last 12 hours of an offshore race is crucial; you are tired and that is when the mistakes can creep in but we kept focused and finished off the job. I am now looking forward to race to Khasab.”

news-image5

Vice Commodore of the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, Calum McKie racing his Grand Soleil 37, Boracic was second and commented shortly after mooring up in Bandar Al Rowdha Marina:  “This was a very competitive race and we experienced a huge range of conditions, probably the most bizarre was a series of water spouts, which caused very confused winds. I wouldn’t say there was one particular tactical decision that went against us but after we passed Fujairah, we went inshore and got the wrong side of a big shift. At that stage we were looking like leading the race but fell behind Shahrazad and we never made up the lost ground. All credit to Doug’s team they sailed extremely well and deserve their victory. Veterans back at DOSC have told me that this is a hard enough race just to finish and Boracic has a 100% record, so I am happy with that.”

Matt Britton’s J/92 Privateer was the smallest yacht in the class and claimed third overall, short-handed it would have been tough going on the 30-foot yacht.

Barrie Harmsworth’s custom 43, Bin Toak had four Emerati crew on board. Abdul Aziz Alobaidli, Ahmed Qubasi and Ahmed al Marzooqi and Adil Khalid. All four are experienced laser sailors and Adil was part of the Volvo Ocean Race crew on board Azzam, the first Arabic entry in the prestigious round the world race.

“We lost out by going inshore on approach to The Straits of Hormuz.” Admitted Barry. “We ran out of wind and managed to get tangled in a fishing net, which was not exactly what we intended but that’s just how it goes sometimes. However, I will never forget the first night, passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Adil (Khalid) was on the tiller and he has really become a top class sailor after competing in the Volvo. On a tight reach, the boat was doing 12 knots over the ground with the crew on the rail grinning from ear to ear. I have done this race a few times and just sailing through the strait is a magical moment but to be going at that speed at night with exceptional sailors on board was just magic.”

With all of the yachts in the Dubai Muscat Race finished, attention in Muscat has turned to two days of inshore racing. Hundreds of sailors from Oman and overseas are taking part in the reatta. However, next Saturday, 24th November marks the return to offshore action with start of 230-mile Bank of Beirut Chairman’s Cup Race to Khasab with a prize fund of $50,000, generously donated by the title sponsor.

Online Race Tracking!

0
Posted by steve on November 16, 2012 – 8:23 pm
Filed under Chairman's Cup, General News

news-image

For the 2012 Dubai to Muscat Race, and the 2012 Muscat to Khasab race www.xtra-track.com have provided live online race tracking!

The Dubai – Muscat race starts on Saturday 17th November, and will be tracked using tracking devices fitted on each of the yachts.

Boats competing in the Bank of Beirut Chairman’s Cup – Muscat to Khasab race will be fitted with trackers at Marina Bandar Al Rowdha, ready for the start of the event on the 24th November.

Watch the progress online – Click Here

Record entry for The Muscat Regatta

0
Posted by steve on November 10, 2012 – 8:31 pm
Filed under Chairman's Cup, Dinghy Regatta

dfff

The Muscat Regatta

17 – 28 November 2012
Now in its fourth year, The Muscat Regatta is well established as the premier open sailing event in the Middle East. There has been a growing development of yacht racing in the region and The Muscat Regatta is a celebration of offshore and inshore racing for a huge variety of amateur sailors, both from Oman and overseas. Expertly managed by the highly experienced GWM Racing team, the regatta has gone from strength to strength with a record entry competing this year.

Dubai to Muscat

Starts 17th November 2012
The build up to the regatta starts with 21st Dubai to Muscat Race, organised by the United Arab Emirates Sailing and Rowing Federation. This historic 360nm race has now achieved recognition by the UK’s prestigious Royal Ocean Racing Club and therefore ranks alongside all other RORC recognised offshore races. An international fleet of Rally Class, performance cruisers and racing yachts will be taking part.
Dubai based communications company, Xtra-Link has equipped the yachts with the latest satellite communications equipment. Including satellite phones and also hi-tech satellite tracking devices. Allowing race fans, all over the world, to watch the race live, as it unfolds.
Passing through the shallows of the Arabian Gulf and into the deep water of the Indian Ocean via the Straits of Hormuz. The route from Dubai to Muscat is definitely a challenging one with awe-inspiring scenery.

The Muscat Regatta

22-23 November 2012
The fourth edition of The Muscat Regatta has the same format, two days of inshore dinghy and keelboat racing. This year’s entry list is expected to be double the size of last year with more than 100 dinghies and keelboats expected to take part. Classes include: Optimists, Q’BA’s, Lasers, Hobie Cats and Weta Class Trimarans.
The Muscat Regatta is hosted by Oman’s premium marina, Bandar Al Rowdha. Established in 1996, Marina Bandar Al Rowdha is just a few miles outside the capital city. Located in a truly beautiful setting amidst the Sultanate’s crystal-clear waters, the marina has extensive dinghy and keelboat facilities. A fully licensed restaurant, bar and swimming pool is available to all participants and will be the setting for The Muscat Regatta Prize Giving.

Bank of Beirut Chairman’s Cup

Starts 24th November 2012
A record entry is expected for the Muscat to Khasab Race, which offers one of the richest cash prizes for a yacht race of its kind, anywhere in the world. The Bank of Beirut has repeated their generous prize fund of US$50,000 for the 240-mile offshore race to Khasab. A final lavish prize giving, set in the remote mountain region of Musandam, will bring the event to a memorable conclusion

Team Diablo competing in the Dubai Muscat and Muscat Khasab race in support of PSPA

0
Posted by steve on October 25, 2012 – 4:37 pm
Filed under Chairman's Cup, Dubai to Muscat Race

dddd

Team Diablo will be sailing their Beneteau First 44.7 in both the Dubai to Muscat and the Muscat to Khasab races, all with a focus to raise awareness and funds for a disease called PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy).

Team Diablo became involved in raising awareness and funds for PSP when a close friend’s father passed away due to the disease in 2010.

Nicola Turnbull’s father, Bob Keeler, suffered from PSP and Nicola set up a Tribute Fund to help increase the awareness of the disease and to raise funds to enable the PSP Association to continue their work in research of the mysterious disease and supporting sufferers of PSP and their families.

Nicola & Lee Turnbull have also funded the Bob Keeler Memorial ‘Round the World’ Race held in February each year as part of the DOSC Racing calendar, spreading the word to DOSC members – but they want to spread the word even further.

Nicola’s husband Lee sails with Team Diablo which is based at DOSC in Dubai and says ‘I am proud to be part of a team that cares about the effects PSP can have and is willing to work hard to win as many races in our first year racing together – all to help Nicola raise the profile of such a tragic disease’.

Diablo’s owners, Clare & Doug Hassell are also proud of their team. ‘This is our first racing year and our first offshore race together, as a team of 12 people that are from all across the world and we’ve done really well’, says Clare; with Doug adding ‘We are so proud that we won the Abu Dhabi Offshore race and finished second in Class 1 of the Abu Dhabi Yachting Cup. We hope to continue the efforts so we can help spread the word about PSP and raise as much funds as possible. We’re trying to get as much support and sponsorship for the Dubai Muscat and Muscat Khasab races.

PSP is a degenerative brain disease, which affects eye movement, balance, mobility, speech and swallowing. The disease is frequently misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease due to similar symptoms and affects 6 in 100,000 people. Daily Mail diarist Nigel Dempster and actor Dudley Moore both suffered from this disease. There is currently no treatment or cure.

For further information, contact Nicola Turnbull on 00971 (0) 50 657 6605.

To make a donation – visit www.justgiving.com/saillingforPSP

Team Diablo competing in the Dubai Muscat and Muscat Khasab race in support of PSPA

0
Posted by steve on October 25, 2012 – 4:35 pm
Filed under Chairman's Cup, Dubai to Muscat Race

dddd

Team Diablo will be sailing their Beneteau First 44.7 in both the Dubai to Muscat and the Muscat to Khasab races, all with a focus to raise awareness and funds for a disease called PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy).

Team Diablo became involved in raising awareness and funds for PSP when a close friend’s father passed away due to the disease in 2010.

Nicola Turnbull’s father, Bob Keeler, suffered from PSP and Nicola set up a Tribute Fund to help increase the awareness of the disease and to raise funds to enable the PSP Association to continue their work in research of the mysterious disease and supporting sufferers of PSP and their families.

Nicola & Lee Turnbull have also funded the Bob Keeler Memorial ‘Round the World’ Race held in February each year as part of the DOSC Racing calendar, spreading the word to DOSC members – but they want to spread the word even further.

Nicola’s husband Lee sails with Team Diablo which is based at DOSC in Dubai and says ‘I am proud to be part of a team that cares about the effects PSP can have and is willing to work hard to win as many races in our first year racing together – all to help Nicola raise the profile of such a tragic disease’.

Diablo’s owners, Clare & Doug Hassell are also proud of their team. ‘This is our first racing year and our first offshore race together, as a team of 12 people that are from all across the world and we’ve done really well’, says Clare; with Doug adding ‘We are so proud that we won the Abu Dhabi Offshore race and finished second in Class 1 of the Abu Dhabi Yachting Cup. We hope to continue the efforts so we can help spread the word about PSP and raise as much funds as possible. We’re trying to get as much support and sponsorship for the Dubai Muscat and Muscat Khasab races.

PSP is a degenerative brain disease, which affects eye movement, balance, mobility, speech and swallowing. The disease is frequently misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease due to similar symptoms and affects 6 in 100,000 people. Daily Mail diarist Nigel Dempster and actor Dudley Moore both suffered from this disease. There is currently no treatment or cure.

For further information, contact Nicola Turnbull on 00971 (0) 50 657 6605.

To make a donation – visit www.justgiving.com/saillingforPSP

Best of Regatta 2011 – Gallery

0
Posted by steve on December 7, 2011 – 8:37 pm
Filed under Chairman's Cup, Dubai to Muscat Race

gallerypicOur budding photographers snapped over 3000 pictures of the 2011 Regatta. We’ve selected around 60 pictures that we feel best capture the spirit of the event. Many thanks to Matt and Marina for all your efforts! The 60 pictures in our “Best of Regatta 2011″ album will also be printed A4 size and hardbound. If you are at the Marina and have a few minutes to spare ask if you can have a look at the 2011 Regatta Photo Album.

Click here to  view the gallery.

Fight to the Finish

0
Posted by steve on November 29, 2011 – 2:23 pm
Filed under Chairman's Cup

5

Last night shortly before 2:30 am, two Farr 30s from Oman Sail approached the finish line of the 240 mile Chairman’s Cup Race locked in a titanic struggle. The two yachts were match racing to the finish, each one of them snatching the lead in a duel to the end. After over 62 hours of racing, the line honours winner was only decided on the last tack. Oman Sail 4 steered by Ahmed Al Marmari crossed the line just one minute ahead of Oman Sail 5 steered by Abdalah Al Farsi claiming line honours in The Bank of Beirut Chairman’s Cup and victory in the Farr 30 Class.

However, neither of the two Farr 30s dueling at the finish could have been aware of another nail biting finish. Three hours later, Boracic skippered by Calum McKie, the Vice Commodore of the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club led his team to the line. After time correction, Boracic had the quickest elapsed time by the slender margin of just one minute and fifteen seconds and were therefore declared overall winners of The Bank of Beirut Chairman’s Cup.

At the prize giving, Saleem Q. Al Zawawi, Chairman of the Muscat Regatta welcomed the guest of honour, His Excellency Sayyid Khalifa bin al Mirdas bin Ahmed al-Busaidi, the Governor of Musandam and gave his closing speech.

2

“Many congratulations to all of the participants that have taken part, I would like to thank all of our sponsors for their support. Especially our title sponsor, The Bank of Beirut for their overwhelming generosity in providing a cash prize of US$50,000.

I would also congratulate the race organizing committee, GWM Racing, the Royal Oman Police Coastguard, the Royal Navy of Oman and the Ministry of Sports Affairs. They have provided well-managed and secure racing. Their work behind the scenes to ensure safe passage should not go unnoticed. It is with great pleasure that I see sailors from abroad competing together with many Omani sailors. The race is now firmly established in the sailing calendar with strong support from the Ministry of Tourism.

I would like to make a special mention to competitors from the United Arab Emirates and I would urge you all to encourage your friends to take part next year. Oman Sail have indicated that there will be a far larger number of Farr 30s racing next year and we have received a very positive response from supporting partners in both the public and the private sector. With all of your support, we can firmly establish a superb offshore race to this spectacular location.”

After the prize giving crew and honoured guests were invited to a sumptuous banquet at the Golden Tulip Resort, a fabulous setting with panoramic views across the famed Musandam Peninsular.

Full results can be found HERE

Saleem Q. Al Zawawi, also confirmed that the 2012 Muscat Regatta will start on the 22nd of November and finish in Khasab on the 28th of November.

71

Hauntingly Beautiful

0
Posted by steve on November 27, 2011 – 7:22 pm
Filed under Chairman's Cup

musandam-peninsula-oman

The yachts racing in The Chairman’s Cup Race to Khasab will have suffered the effects of torrential rain last night. However, they are shortly to pass Musandam, One of the most incredibly beautiful place in the Arabian Peninsula. The elegant Hajar mountain series and the crystal clear waters are absolutely spectacular. The Musandam peninsula Oman is so popular for the scenic beauty of its fjord and has earned it the nickname of the ‘Norway of the Arabia’.

Next stop Khasab

0
Posted by steve on November 26, 2011 – 5:52 pm
Filed under Chairman's Cup

DSC_0404-1024x681

The Chairman’s Cup race, sponsored by The Bank of Beirut, started without delay this morning from outside Marina Bandar Al-Rowdha in the presence of the Her Excellency Maytha bint Saif bin Majid al Mahrooqiyah, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism.

A northwesterly breeze of 8-11 knots just west of the north provided ideal conditions for the start with the fleet beating to windward. Cloud cover over the coast may well prevent a sea breeze from developing, which may result in the fleet seeking to go offshore for more breeze and a better angle to the wind further up the coast, as the wind is expected to strengthen and veer to the northwest by tomorrow.

The 230-mile race is a very tactical affair with yachts needing to forsee the best direction to sail to stay in the best breeze. Inshore may result in land effects creating wind both day and night, however offshore there may be more gradient wind.

“Shortly after the start the wind started to pick up, resulting in an increase in sea state. It could be a bumpy ride to Khasab, especially if the wind increase and stays on the nose. We could see as much as 20 knots maybe more later in the race.” Confirmed Oman Sail Farr 30 coach, Jean-Michel Gandin.

Oman Sail 5 got the best start judging the line with precision. Given fair winds, the fleet could arrive in Khasab by Monday morning, about two days and nights at sea.