(MENAFN- Oman Sail ) 21 July 2025, Muscat – The Oman Kite Festival 2025 reached Al Ashkharah in the South Al Sharqiyah Governorate as the 90 competitors continue to explore Oman’s wonderous coastline. Since the start of the festival, the fleet of top-ranked international Kite athletes from within and outside of Oman have explored Bar Al Hikman, Masira Island and Ras Ruwais on their way to the Pink Lagoon, taking the opportunity to experience the consistent winds ideal for world-class marine sports events.

Organized by OMRAN Group in partnership with Oman Sail, Visit Oman, and Oman Adventure Centre, the Oman Kite Festival reflects the commitment of all stakeholders to develop sports tourism and capitalise on Oman’s unique coastline as a world-class tourism experience.

The second leg of the Oman Downwinder shone the spotlight on a 42 km stretch of coastline between Masira Island and Ras al Ruwais, giving the 15 riders a chance to glide along the clear water close to two distinctive coastal destinations. Al Mukhtar Abdul Karim Al Mujaini of Oman reached the destination in first place, while Ayman Abdullah Al Ghafri from Oman was second and Ahmed Mohammed of Egypt finished the race in third.

In the overall rankings after two legs, Al Mukhtar Abdul Karim Al Mujaini leads Ahmed Mohammed, with Ayman Abdullah Al Ghafri in third.

The Coastal Race was contested by 33 riders at Masira Island. The race was won by Fryderyk Cuba from Germany, Al Mukhtar Abdul Karim Al Mujaini of Oman in second and Marta Morlo from Poland in third.
Before leaving Masirah, the fleet took part in a Big Air Show and Freestyle Show, which demonstrated the capabilities of the kiteboards and the exceptional skills of the riders. Masira announced itself as a potential major event host as the competition reinforced the Sultanate’s position on the international map of adventure and marine sports events.

Shaima Al Asmi, Oman Kite Festival Project Manager, said, “The event has been a huge success so far. It reflects the commitment of all stakeholders to develop sports tourism and capitalize on Oman’s unique coastline. Bringing international athletes to Oman for the Oman Kite Festival has added a global dimension, boosted competitiveness and media appeal which is vital in promoting our ability to deliver unique adventure experiences that attract thrill-seekers from around the world, especially during this season.”

After the race concluded, Omani competitor Al Mukhtar Al Mujaini highlighted the intensity and challenge of the competition, saying: “The second leg was considerably tougher than the first, with fierce competition among the participants. The strong winds and high waves added an extra layer of difficulty, but thankfully, I was able to deliver a strong performance and secure first place.”

The next stage of the Oman Kite Festival will be held in Al Ashkharah when the third leg of the Oman Downwinder gets underway, and then on to Ras al Jinz and Ras Al Hadd where it will conclude on 24 July.

The Oman Kite Festival serves as a platform to showcase the Sultanate’s exceptional coastal and marine landscapes, reinforcing its presence on the global tourism map and attracting enthusiasts of adventure sports and international sporting events. Building on the success of the 2024 Oman Downwinder, the festival aims to position key coastal destinations as premier global kiteboarding venues. It also contributes to the promotion of experience-driven tourism in underexplored areas, supports domestic travel, fosters community development, and raises awareness of Oman as a leading destination for adventure and outdoor experiences.

The event is organised by the OMRAN Group, Oman Sail, Visit Oman, and Oman Adventures Center in collaboration with the Governorates of South Al Sharqiyah and Al Wusta, Salty Rider, and Red Bull Oman.

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