In preparation for the 2022 season, Oman Sail’s elite sailing team travelled to Norway this week for an introduction to the Melges 24 monohull sportsboat. Known for its speed, the four-man keelboat inspired by The America’s Cup has regained popularity in recent years and the fully omanised team will receive technical training that includes becoming familiar with the sportsboat set-up, tuning and handling during this week-long training camp.
Sailors Hussain Al Jabri, Ali Al Balushi, Haitham Al Wahaibi and Akram Al Wahaibi, along with Team Manager Nasser Al Mashari will spend time with experienced professional coach and former Melges 24 International Class President, Jens Altern Wathne and Team J&J at the Ascot Yacht Club in Bergen, Norway. Team J&J has been in the Melges 24 class for over 20 years as sailors, servants of the Melges 24 class on a local, regional, national and international level.
Team Manager, Nasser Al Mashari said, “This is an exciting opportunity to learn new skills and build a long-term relationship with the Melges 24 Class. We are always looking at new opportunities to expand our knowledge and gain experience on different boats. The Melges 24 is going to be a very competitive class in 2022 . We’re grateful to Team J&J and especially coach Jens Altern Wathne for agreeing to train us and share their considerable expertise to help our team develop.”
Oman Sail aims to compete in three to four Melges 24 events in early 2022 ahead of the Melges 24 World Championships, taking place in the Lauderdale Yacht Club in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States from May 9-15, 2022.
