Oman’s young multi-hull team of Musab Al Hadi and Ahmed Al Balushi are geared up and ready for Tuesday’s start of the five day 2012 Global Tech F18 World Championships which pits them against acrack fleet of 120 teams from 13 countries and five continents when sailinggets underway off Long Beach in Southern California.
The Omani team, who are making their debut at the World’s, had a brief taste of what’s to come from the best F18 fleet on the planet during a practice race on Monday even though it was abandoned after the first beat due to fickle winds.
“Conditions were hot and humid with a mere 3 – 5 knot breeze drifting over the off shore course. Our guys were in thesecond group start and after a couple of general recalls they got away cleanly and headed to the windward mark. They had good speed and pointing ability in the light stuff and worked their way to the 1st mark arriving in 3rd – justbefore the race was abandoned,” said Paul Wakelin, Oman Sail’s national catamaran coach travelling with the team.
Even so Musab and Ahmed were buoyed by their performance.
“Back on the beach everyone was saying: Ah no! light winds, I hate this… I was thinking how much I enjoyed the challenge. Bring it on!" said helmsman Musab adding that being light they are generally fast downwind but just lack a little power upwind if it gets windier.
He said he and Ahmed felt so honoured to be there, representing their country, and having the opportunity to race against a fleet saturated with so many Olympic, world champions and America’s Cup sailors.
“It is incredible. Coming back to the shore after the practice the race the whole fleet converged at the narrow harbor entrance to the Alamitos Bay Yacht Club. Seeing 120 F18's sailing in such small proximity was an awesome spectacle. It fires one up and we are ready to do our best,” said Ahmed.
Wakelin said the team attended the Opening Ceremony Monday night and are “all good and ready for the start of racing tomorrow (Tuesday)”.
“We’ve been here since 30 August to adjust, acclimatize and get ready. We have done that in a structured but relaxed manner to ensure that the team is in great shape both physically and mentally.
“We sailed every day and the conditions are fantastic usually starting with light breezes gently building to up to 20 knots. The race schedule is set for midday starts which is quite early for the breeze so I predict a good number of races will actually be raced in 10-12 knots which is perfect for our guys. In windier weather they will be fine as long as they can hold on and remain consistent.”
“Musab and Ahmed hit their combined sailor weight target of 140 kg but have to be careful that the demands of racing won't out-weigh their intake. They are carrying lead to bring them up to the minimum required 150kg combined but we are used to performing at these numbers.
“Because we chartered a brand new boat we also had to get that fully officially measured prior to racing. This also weighed in bang on the minimum requirement which is 180kg. This measurement process ensures we are all sailing similar equipment putting the focus on sailor skill rather than an equipment war.
“Saying that we are always looking to get the most out of our boat, rules allowing, and we are very happy with our Nacra Infusion which the guys did a good job of branding in the Omani colours. It stands our brilliantly in the fleet.”
The Omani team is enjoying renewing friendships made during the last two seasons racing F18’s. They’ve also had some fun in the build up to racing and enjoyed one late afternoon relaxing the way they know best: Fishing!
“They came back with the biggest bag of mackerel for the barbecue. Hook to plate in a couple of hours and very tasty!” said Wakelin.
Racing starts Tuesday 12 September with as many as 15 races scheduled through to Saturday. The first three days of racing will sort the fleet into Gold and Silver groups the former competing for the grand prize on the weekend.
