Sur schools dominated this year’s Renaissance Inter School Sailing Championship, taking the three top spots with Sur Private School in third place and Said bin Taimour as runners up to reigning champions, Abdulrahman bin Auf. All 36 finalists from 12 schools across Muscat, Mussanah and Sur were awarded by His Excellency Tawfiq bin Abdul Hussain Al Lawati, Majlis Al Shura member for Muttrah, at a special prize giving ceremony attended by families, instructors, teachers and principals at Oman Sail’s 45th National Day Sailing Festival in Kalbu Park, Muttrah Corniche.
The Championship, supported by Renaissance for the third year running, brought together over 150 of the country’s most promising young sailors aged 8-12 to demonstrate their competitive racing skills. It was preceded by a number of qualifying heats that took place across four sailing centres in Al Mouj Muscat, Marina Bandar Rowdha, Mussanah and Sur.
With efforts centred on aspiring people to reach their potential and lead fulfilling lives, Renaissance encourages programmes in which the values of teamwork, sportsmanship and resolve are instilled in local talent.
“The lessons students take away from this Championship will benefit them beyond the water,” said Stephen Thomas, CEO of Renaissance. “We believe in the power of experience-based learning and the Championship’s driven environment reveals personal strengths and develops skills that shall serve these young people well in the future.”
Said Al Araimi, Centre Manager of Oman Sail’s Sur Sailing School, said, “We are immensely proud of the children for emulating the qualities it takes to become world-class sportsmen as the next generation of Omani sailors. We have already seen them grow in confidence in these short few weeks which has in turn positively impacted their schoolwork. Some of the students have also expressed clear sailing goals which we will continue to encourage with the support of Oman Sail’s founding partner, Renaissance, who share our vision of creating unique opportunities for the youth.”
Raed Said Al Mukhaini, a member of the winning team from Abdulrahman Al Auf School in Sur, said, “This is my first victory in sailing and the next trophies I hope to win will be in preparation for holding up the Omani flag on international waters. I am proud of winning for my school and I will continue my training to win for Oman.”
