Oryx Cup competitors meeting

Maxi-multihull sailors gather in Qatar to discuss Tracy Edwards' round the world race

The skippers and representatives of the six entries in the Oryx Cup flew out of Qatar on 8 May, having attended a competitors meeting for The Oryx Cup.

Tony Bullimore of Team Daedalus reflected on the conference saying: “We had no idea what to expect when we arrived here in Qatar but the past two days have been fantastic. We have been given all the information we need about The Oryx Cup and the quality of the conference has been absolutely superb. We now have the confidence to go back to the UK and find the sponsorship we need to get to the start line next year.”

The teams arrived in Doha on 5 May courtesy of the national carrier Qatar Airways and spent the day relaxing at the Marriott Hotel before sampling a little local hospitality in the evening. The conference was attended by all the teams, the Maiden Ocean Racing Qatar (MORQ) team and the Qatar 2006 crew. Tracy Edwards opened the conference explaining how the vision of The Oryx Cup had become a reality over the past six months:

“Since the announcement in the UK on 14 October last year MORQ has been working extremely hard in Qatar to lay the groundwork and the structure for this exciting event. We have worked closely with Qatar Sports International and many other bodies in Qatar to get us to where we are today. There has been much to do to ensure that The Oryx Cup is the best sailing event in the world but my team have worked tirelessly towards that vision. Today, seeing all these teams here is, for all of us, a reward for that hard work and determination.”

Alan Green, Race Director went though the preliminary Notice of Race with the competitors explaining that this was the framework for the rules and that contributions from the teams would be welcome. “This is your event,” he concluded “and we want to get it right for all of us. We have come together to ensure that we have great events for these great boats and if we work together as team, we will be taking the next step towards that goal.”

The VIP lunch sponsored by HSBC and hosted by General Manager Kevin Smorthwaite, was attended by The Qatar Marine Federation, Qatar Sports International, Qatar Tourism Authority and other Qatari dignitaries.

Hugh Leventon from MRS opened day two by discussing sponsorship, Doo Gurney from Tribe Qatar spoke about Media and PR and Richard Simmonds from APP Broadcast outlined the television package.

John Caswell and David Butter from Group Partners held a discussion group with all the teams and explored the various ways the organisers and teams can work together to ensure the longevity of the events in Qatar.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston commented: “The quality of the speakers has been very impressive. They have told us the things we need to know in an eloquent and informative way. The team that Tracy has assembled is truly awe inspiring and gives us all massive confidence in their ability to put on two great events that will last long into the future. We wondered what she had been up over the past six months and now we know! Anyone who doubted these events has been proved utterly and sadly misguided.”

The conference concluded with Tracy, GroupPartners, Doo Gurney and Hugh Leventon in private meetings with the individual teams to gather the information needed to assist them to the start line.

Tracy Edwards, MORQ, “Yes, we know there is a lot of work ahead of us but the conversations we have had today and the willingness we have seen to work with us, convinces me that we will have these boats on the start line. All the teams have something to offer a sponsor and they are all of the highest calibre. There is now increasing awareness of the events in the region and a genuine interest in sponsorship of these amazing boats and their awesome crews.”

“I am extremely impressed with what Tracy, her team and Qatar have achieved” added Ross Field “I really had no idea what to expect but I am totally convinced that these events will be successful and have a long life. I am so glad that I attended the conference and I know now that I would like to be on the start line…..to win of course!”