amateur and professional sailors,’ said Salma Al Hashmi of Oman Sail. ‘Now we’re adding high-speed racing on the Diam 24s with the chance to explore the breathtaking beauty of Oman in depth. ‘At the same time we have made
it even easier to come here and experience what our sailing waters offer. Our turnkey operation means sailors can turn up and go racing – it is all laid on and we will provide everything they need.’ The 2018 edition of The Tour will
feature eight venues, three offshore legs, three coastal raids and four in-port races. It starts with the first in-port race in Salalah, Oman’s second biggest city and a large sea port, followed by a coastal raid to Mirbat and back. In-port racing and a coastal raid will also be held at the next venue of Duqm. Next is an offshore leg from Barr Al Hikman to Masirah, with a further coastal raid. The second offshore leg is
and catering for the full 15 days of the event; as well as crew and luggage transport between venues and event hotels, including flights. Find a boat, pay the one-off fee
between you, then it’s a spraytop, sandwiches, water and bananas (it’s a bit hot for chocolate). Also included is Yellow Brick
tracking, the loan of a mandatory race gennaker, and safety equipment (but not navigation kit). Repair of in-warranty equipment and other technical support are part of the package. A full media package, including a video and digital photo portfolio, is provided free to all competitors. Further team members and crew
can be added for ⇔2,250 each for the full 15-day package, and those wanting to charter a Diam from Oman Sail can do so for ⇔6,000 on a first-come first-served basis. A welcome BBQ and closing
ceremony dinner are also included. Obviously!
And for those staying dry Oman Sail will also arrange hotel deals at all the locations for non-sailors and shore crew, as well as family, who are invited to travel with the organisers between venues. RIBs are supplied free at the in-port race venues. Oman Sail will connect family
and friends with local tour agencies so they get the most out of the whole Tour experience and also offers a bespoke sponsor package, up to and including managing an entire PR, communications, client and VIP programme if required. This package has proved very
popular with many amateur entries such as Renato Azara who saw his
Some course, some regatta. Blasting round Oman in warm water and good breeze with every pit stop offering a different local experience. Sound a bit like a travel guide, well to be honest if you want an all-consum- ing regatta where your ‘shore team’ are as well looked after as the sailing team and where they will go home not grumbling for a change, about cold regatta tents and hanging around in the rain, then treat them if not yourself! Afterwards you will then be able to drag them off to that winter training regatta with a straight face
Sardinia-based Adelasia di Torres team take fifth on their EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour debut in 2017. The MD of the Emerald Coast-based crew and yacht management agency Sardinia Yacht Services, Azara said: ‘For me the biggest reason to do it is that it is in February! And that is a good time to get away from Europe… Everything is organised and I love it. There are plenty of people who are prepared to spend money on going sailing, and they should consider this opportunity. ‘It’s so easy, literally, you just
turn up and race around some of the most spectacular coastline on the planet. Local culture, cuisine… it’s just as much fun for those travelling with you as it is for us.’ Azara bolstered his largely
amateur crew with some pro experience in the form of Caterina Nitto and Duccio Colombi, but others stay with their regular Corinthian teams. The Swiss Bienne Voile team, for example, have done all three events since 2015 with a rotating team of amateurs more used to lake sailing at Neuchâtel (plus a few Fastnets and Tour de France à la Voile along the way!). Previous editions have seen student crews from Plymouth and the Netherlands, mixed and all-women teams and, of course, Omani sailors going through the Oman Sail project. For 2018 several crews from the
Oman region are anticipated; plus with the use of the Diam 24 interest is expected to grow sharply from European multihull racers including crews practising ahead of the 2018 Tour Voile. ‘A big draw of EFG Sailing Arabia
– The Tour is that it offers something remarkable to both
between the serene village of Ras Al Hadd and the ancient port of Sur, a trade centre since the sixth century. After an in-port race in Sur, the fleet relocates to the Bandar Al Khiran, known for its tidal bays and seclusion, for the final offshore leg to Mutrah, near Muscat. The port town, famous for its suq, is the venue for the concluding in-port race event of the Tour. It’s an enticing route and a new
challenge for an event that has previously attracted an impressive roster of sailing talent, including reigning champion Thierry Douillard, two-time winner Bertrand Pacé, Mathieu Richard, yachtswoman Dee Caffari, Neal McDonald, Alex Pella, Cedric Pouligny, Damian Foxall, Annemieke Bes and Volvo Ocean Race navigator Libby Greenhalgh. And then there is three-time
winner Sidney Gavignet, whose enthusiasm for the Tour remains infectious: ‘I would recommend it to anyone looking for something a little different. People come back with fantastic memories having had some great racing… and the scenery is pretty fantastic. ‘It has the same spirit as the
Tour de France à la Voile, a mix of top professional sailors and some of the best Corinthians, with good racing at every level. ‘Above all, it is now such an easy
and simple package – find yourself a Diam 24 tri and pretty much everything else is arranged by Oman Sail. Everything.’ A new course, a super-
competitive new fleet of multihulls, lots of good food and wonderful local hospitality. Plus Oman’s winter appeal never fades.
www.sailingarabiathetour.com q
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