Prizegiving in Qatar

Crews get their cheques as new scholarship scheme set up to get young sailors afloat

At a Gala Event attended by Sheikh Jassim Bin Thamer Al Thani, Vice President of Qnoc, the skippers and crews of Doha 2006 and Daedalus took possession of their prizes as all those involved in Oryx Quest 2005 applauded their triumph.

"We are very proud to have been able to host Oryx Quest 2005," said Sheikh Jassim Bin Thamer Al Thani, Vice President of QNOC, who presented the winning team with their cheques. "It has been a wonderful event from beginning to end and I congratulate Brian Thompson, Tony Bullimore and their crews for their outstanding performance in this gruelling race. Their achievement cannot be underestimated and they have brought great glory to our shores."

Thompson was characteristically modest as he accepted the prize on behalf of himself and his crew. "When you work with great people, you can achieve great things," he said. "This would not have been possible without the unstinting dedication and hard work of the entire crew - thank you for being such a phenomenal team."

Daedalus skipper, Tony Bullimore, and his crew were equally delighted. "This is just fantastic," said Bullimore. "We never expected to be in this position here tonight and I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to David Scully, Olivier de Kersauson and their crews too.  Sailing is a funny business and you never know what's going to happen, but my crew were fantastic and demonstrated that with courage and determination you can achieve great things."

In addition to the prize money, the Doha 2006 crew also picked up the Amundsen Trophy for being the first boat to cross the Amundsen line, presented in honour of the legendary polar explorer Roald Amundsen by the official timekeepers of the race, Amundsen Oslo. 

The Oryx Quest Trophy designed and created by William Asprey owner of world renowned Jewellers William & Son, was awarded to Brian Thompson by Sheikh Jassim Bin Thamer Al Thani, Vice President of Qnoc.

As a gesture to the Qatari community, who have been so supportive throughout the event, the crews of all the yachts voted to recognise the support of Qatar in hosting the Oryx Quest 2005 and the whole Qatari community by donating the Qatar Foundation Award for Courage, designed by VCUQ graduate, Mary Anne Skill and made by William & Son, to Qatar.  In addition the Courage Award Prize Money will be donated to a scholarship fund that will hopefully encourage young Qataris to take up sailing. "There were so many acts of bravery and courage by so many people throughout the race, that it has been impossible for us to chose between them," announced Brian Thompson.  "We have therefore agreed amongst us that the best use of this money would be to help foster a new breed of sailing superstars here in Qatar." The trophy will be held at the QMSF headquarters as tribute to the huge contribution of Qatar in general and QMSF in particular to making the Oryx Quest 2005 such a major international success.

"There have been so many good things about Oryx Quest 2005", said Sheikh Hassan Bin Jaber Al Thani, President of QMSF, "it has been a privilege to be involved.  I congratulate Tracy Edwards and her team on the stunning success of Oryx Quest 2005 and I congratulate all the sailors who took part, irrespective of the prize money, they are all winners because of the magnificent example they have set."

"This is a very special day for me," concluded Tracy Edwards.  "There have been times when I thought I would never be standing here. I am so proud of the Quest team and the crews who put so much into making Oryx Quest the success it has been. We have overcome all the hurdles, we have made history and we have brought a new and exciting sport to the shores of Qatar. Thank you especially to The Heir Apparent HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and to Abdulla Al Qahtani, Director General of DAGOC for believing in this event.  Thank you everyone who helped make it happen and for your support, your counsel and your persistence. Just think what we can achieve together next time round!"