Oman’s courageous J80 crew on Al Thuraya are fast becoming the beating heart of the Oman Sail Women’s Programme after a European season of racing in which their confidence and skill levels grew by leaps and bounds.

On Friday, the J80 European Championships in Barcelona drew to a close, marking the end of a programme of training and competition for Rajaa Al Owaisi, Nashwa Al Kindi and Ibtisam Al Salmi that started back in April with the Spi Ouest France Intermarché.

Since then, improvements across the board have been pronounced while a step up in a few areas of performance has been striking. Ibtisam Al Salmi who has now completed two seasons on the J80 said the team had worked well together which was reflected in a 12th place from a field of 52 in the first race in Barcelona.

“The winds were lighter at the start of the week and they suited us but as the breeze built during the week to around 25 knots, it became really hard. At one point on Thursday it was 32 knots, which meant they had to suspend racing. It was a bit different to Oman!

“We have made great strides since last year and were really pleased to finish 22nd out of 56 at the Grand Prix Ecole Navale in June and finish in the top third of the fleet at Normandy Week. In every aspect of our sailing – whether it is trimming sails, helming, tactics or making the boat go faster, we feel ourselves getting better so it is more fun.”

“What stands out is the girl’s spirit – they carry on fighting all the time and never give up,” said the girls coach and mentor Mary Rook, who is also a crewmember. “This week in Barcelona, the winds have been much stronger than we expected so we have seen very big waves and choppy waters, probably the most challenging conditions we’ve had since we started,”

“The girls got very tired – we were racing against big strong guys and it was hard work but they never gave up or lost their enthusiasm. They were disappointed when we fell away and really happy when we did well.

“Our real strength has been our downwind sailing,” she added. “On the downwind legs we have been able to find speed and pass boats, which means we have kept taking places and worked our way up through the fleet on those legs.

“Their communication has also come on really well – talking between themselves and more often. They are enjoying it more and more as they get better at it.”

The aim of racing in Europe was to give the girls more experience of a wide range of venues and conditions, Rook continued.

“The aim was to give them more experience racing in a big fleet and Barcelona definitely delivered. All season, they have been exposed to different conditions so lots of things have been thrown at them and they have dealt with them well and a learned a lot.”

There had been no time for sightseeing in Barcelona though the girls were hoping to venture into the city centre on Saturday morning to take a look round the stunning architectural sites which the Spanish city is famous for, before they left to return home to Oman.

After a short break at home, they will be in action again later this month at an all-girls match-racing event in Vannes in France before heading to Cowes for the annual Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week where they will race in the sporty Laser SB20 class at a special Grand Prix event.