EFG Bank Sailing Arabia – The Tour has further enhanced its position and international presence as the only long distance offshore sailing race in the Gulf region following the most successful edition in the tour’s history.
This year’s race featured an increased fleet of nine elite teams sailing 760 nautical mile course in 15 days of exhilarating competition and calling in at eight stopover ports – Manama, Bahrain; Doha, Qatar; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Dubai, UAE; Ras Al Khaimah, UAE; Musandam, Oman; Mussanah, Oman and Muscat, Oman.
Originally inspired in 2011 as a Middle Eastern version of the Tour de France à la Voile, the 3rd edition of the EFG Bank Sailing Arabia – The Tour provided a stunning showcase of the region as a unique sailing destination that offers some of the best international crews and Arab sailors the chance to compete over two intense weeks.
Once again the tour attracted a host of international renowned skippers to sail the challenging waters between Bahrain and Muscat, such EFG Bank (Monaco) skipper Sidney Gavignet, who’s notable achievements include the Olympic Games and winning the Volvo Ocean Race; Bertrand Pacé eight time winner of the Tour de France à la Voile and helm of two America’s Cup challenges; and British yachtswoman Dee Caffari who is the first woman to have sailed single-handed and non-stop around the world in both directions.
Beyond creating the perfect environment for the world’s best to compete, importantly the tour is leaving a last legacy by offering the ideal breeding ground to nurture local sailing talent such as the Omani members of the all-female Al-Thuyara Bank Muscat team alongside Adil Khaled and his Abu Dhabi team.
Khaled a rising star having competed in the 2008 Olympic Games and completed the 2011/2012 Volvo Ocean Race reflected on the increased competitiveness of this year’s race: “The crews are getting much better. I think we’ll have a much better team for next year and we are going to push hard for next year. Next year we’ll have two teams from Abu Dhabi.”
David Graham, CEO of Oman Sail said: “Most of the world’s greatest yacht races have started from humble beginnings and we are delighted that in just three years, Sailing Arabia – The Tour is gaining sustainable traction. Oman Sail has worked hard to bring nations together through sailing and create a sporting property that attracts global interest for potential competitors and sponsors.”
All the teams have expressed the desire to compete in the 4th edition that will take place next year. These sailors belong to a new breed: all-local, all-female and all- student teams who are competing with some of the most experienced sailors in the world on a level playing field.
The opportunity to learn from the other sailors was one of the main highlights, according to Messe Frankfurt skipper, Marcel Herrera. “Everyone took out of it exactly what we came in for. We got to play it up with the big guys and have some fun sailing and the result is great. We are in it for next year and we are looking at improving and building on our experience.”
EFG Bank Sailing Arabia – The Tour has made sporting headlines across the world, featuring in the cream of publications and broadcasts across the GCC and internationally such as France’s Le Monde, BBC World News, Sea Master Sailing. In the gulf it achieved nearly 7.000.000 US dollars of coverage, a further testament to its successful formula and powerful vision.
EFG Bank Sailing Arabia – The Tour will retune on 2014 and will aim to keep counting with best sailors in the region that will discover the natural beauties of the GCC and supported by organizations committed to the future of the sport in the Gulf. It’s a journey the whole of the Gulf will be watching and taking part in.
For more information on the race please visit: www.sailingarabiathetour.com
