Team France claimed the Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2021 trophy with another win in the final leg at Al Mouj Muscat. The debuting crew led from start to finish, winning seven of ten days. Competition for places behind them was fierce but the fleet was ultimately unable to close the gap to the eventual winners.
DB Schenker, representing The Tour’s official logistics partner and flying the flag of Germany with a mixed male and female Omani crew, never gave up - winning two days along the way and finishing second on five occasions – to finish second overall. Organisers Oman Sail ended The Tour in third with Oman Investment Authority fourth. Spanish team Barceló Mussanah Resort finished fifth and Nastro Rosa of Italy ended the race in sixth.
The final leg of The Tour featured two days of racing. Team France earned another victory on the first day with Oman Sail in second and DB Schenker in third, giving them enough of a lead to secure the title. With first place secured, Team France eased off on the final day which allowed DB Schenker to take the win and confirm their position as runners up. Oman Sail finished second on the day and sealed third place overall. Barceló Mussanah Resort finished third on the day with Team France fourth, Oman Investment Authority fifth and Nastro Rosa sixth.
Antoine Rucard, skipper of Team France, said, “Today was the last day of Sailing Arabia – The Tour. We are a bit sad to go back to France, because there it is 3-4 degrees and, here, we are sailing in shorts and t-shirt! It was a good day for the team and a good way to finish with some guests on board, too. A good fight on the water with perfect conditions. We are really happy about this last day.”
“During Sailing Arabia – The Tour, it was super nice to look at many different places in Oman. We had a lot of fun, discovered many beautiful places. Wadi Shab, a really nice place in Sur, souqs and mosques, and our guide took us to the best places!” he added.
Akram Al Waihaibi, skipper of DB Schenker, said, “Today is the last day, we pushed hard and were aiming for the podium. We fought all the way and finished second thanks to our teamwork and the effort of our crew – Ibtisam Al Salmi, Nasser Al Mashari and Marwa Al Khaifi. This has been a great experience for us and we hope to do even better next year.”
Gilles Chiorri, Sailing Arabia – The Tour race director, said, “The sport of sailing uses the “power of sail and wind” to propel the boats. It requires a combination of skills, passion and an incredible amount of teamwork. This event is organised by a passionate team within Oman Sail, and was not only able to engage well-known famous sailors, but also diversify the port destinations in Oman and in the GCC to showcase an exceptional backdrop of progress and development. Traveling along the unique coastline, we get a taste of the Omani culture, meet new people, and experience the natural and historical landmarks of the country. Sailors go back home carrying a message of a warmth and exceptional hospitality.”
The event was supported by national carrier Oman Air, OQ and the Barceló Mussanah Resort as official partners, and Be’ah as environmental supporter. The National Mineral Water Company Salsabeel Water provided all essential water supplies for the event while the Royal Navy of Oman provided medical support throughout.
Text Credits & Photo Credits: Sailing Arabia - The Tour 2021