Muscat - The passionate competitions and extraordinary talents were clearly displayed on the first day of the competitive events in the 15th Musanah Week and the 3rd Arab Women's Championship in Sailing at the Musanah Resort. Sailors came out strong in both events, striving to reach competitive heights.
Performance of Sailors on the First Day
With four races held in the Optimist, ILCA 4, ILCA 6, ILCA 7, and Para Inclusive classes, sailors faced challenging tactical obstacles that tested both their endurance and skills. These competitions were accompanied by brilliant performances and a tight leaderboard at the end of the first day, as competitors prepared for a week full of sailing.
Khalid Yahya Al-Sarihi from Oman topped the Optimist class leaderboard with two victories and one second place from four races. Krishnan Vettachalam from India is in second place, having also secured three podium finishes. Mohammed Ziad Al-Qasim from Oman claimed third place, overcoming a difficult start to win the second and third races. Additionally, Mohammed Sulaiman Al-Balushi from Oman is recognized as the top young sailor, finishing in fourth place.
Arab Women's Championship and ILCA Competitions
Leila Mohammed from Egypt, with three victories and one second place, is in fifth place in the Arab Women's Championship in Sailing in the Optimist class. Abeer Khalil Al-Zakwani from Oman is in second place, just two points behind Leila. Dana Abdullah from Bahrain is also in third place.
In the ILCA 4 races, Karma Walid from Egypt bounced back from third and fourth places to achieve two victories in the last two races, leading the table. Abdulrahman Al-Bahraini from the United Arab Emirates is in second place, and Houd Saad Al-Nofali from Oman is in third. In the ILCA 6 class, Ins Nabil Gamati from Tunisia has excelled with three victories out of four races.
Ibtisam Al-Salmi from Oman, who finished fifth on the first day of the ILCA 6 competitions, said: "Competing in the Arab Women's Championship in Sailing is an empowering experience and part of an inspiring journey for all the women present here. Having an independent platform for female sailors is crucial; it gives us visibility and boosts our confidence. Providing more opportunities like this in Oman is essential to encourage young girls to start this sport across the region."
Oman is also facing a fully Omani fleet in the Hansa 303 Para Inclusive competitions. Currently, the teams of Anwar Al-Balushi-Adel Al-Siyabi and Buthaina Al-Balushi-Malik Al-Qurtubi are at the top of the leaderboard. Dawood Abdullah from Bahrain also commented on the development of the Musanah Week, stating: "Over the past decade, we have witnessed significant improvements in competition standards, boats, and equipment. This event is a valuable opportunity for gaining experience, and the increasing number of Arab sailors reflects the progress of sailing in the region."
