Oman Sail overcome breezy conditions at Fastnet Race

8/17/2015 10:47:33 PM

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)Oman Sail's MOD70 Musandam-Oman Sail crept over the start line of the 2015 Rolex Fastnet Race as light winds slammed the brakes on the biggest and fastest racing fleet ever to take part in the event.

Two days of breeze forecast ahead of the race prompted skippers to revise their race strategies and while Musandam-Oman Sail's skipper Sidney Gavignet was still focussed on doing well his crew were fully prepared for a test of patience and tactical skills during the 600 nautical mile race from Cowes to Plymouth via the Fastnet Rock.

Gavignet said "This is a famous race and the most important one of the year for us but the wind is very light so it will not be easy to repeat our success two years ago and win our class on corrected time. The wind will only pick up as we get to the finish which means all the small boats behind will catch up but our aim is to work well together stay calm and enjoy it because then we will do a nice job.

"Being very much focussed on learning and training on board Musandam-Oman Sail it is more important for us to communicate and work well together much more important than the result. If we have this approach rather than concentrate on the ranking we will do better."

Fahad Al Hasni one of three Omanis on board along with Yassir Al Rahbi and Sami Al Shukaili had studied the conditions ahead of the start of racing on Sunday morning.

"The conditions are tricky because there is no wind so we will stick to the shore to get some land breeze but it will not be easy because the current is against us so each time we move forward we will be pushed back. It is very important for us to do well because it is an international race and we are flying the flag for Oman" he said.

Racing against three other trimarans and Spindrift the world's fastest multihull added extra motivation for the seven-strong Musandam-Oman Sail crew that also includes Spanish sailor Alex Pella and Irish offshore veteran Damian Foxall.

"This is the 90th edition of the Fastnet Race and we are back as previous class winners which adds to our sense of anticipation" said Foxall. "We have some competition this year which is great - two other MOD70s Prince de Bretagne and Spindrift. The light winds mean it will take two days to get to the rock which will make it tricky but it is fantastic to be here and amazing to see such a big fleet. We want to be scratch boat and beat the rest of the multihull fleet but in these light winds the reality is anyone can win."

Musandam-Oman Sail set off at 12:00 local time with the rest of the 370-strong fleet on their heels. The Sultanate of Oman's flagship is expected to arrive in Plymouth on Wednesday.

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