Kingdom of Bahrain's first race

Ex-Pindar VO60 to compete in tomorrow's Dubai-Mascat Offshore Sailing Race

Members of Sail Bahrain (ex Team Pindar) are today arriving in Dubai on board the Kingdom of Bahrain Volvo Ocean 60, to join the start line of the Dubai-Muscat Offshore Sailing Race, which begins tomorrow. The event marks the first offshore race for the Volvo 60 racing yacht, under the ‘Sail Bahrain’ banner, following its official launch, at Amwaj Island last week.

The 360 nautical mile race, which first took place in 1992, will begin at the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club. The fleet will pass through the shallows of the Arabian Gulf , into the deep waters of the Indian Ocean via the Straits of Hormuz, before arriving into the Oman Capital of Muscat, at the Bandar Al-Rawdah Marina.

This year’s event has attracted significantly higher entrants than previous years, demonstrating the recent surge in sailing interest throughout the region. Entrants include a diverse range of boat designs and sailors of all abilities, who will compete under the IRC handicap rules. Kingdom of Bahrain is set to compete in the monohull class, while line honours are expected to go to race favourite Oman Sail's 100ft trimaran Majan.

Skippering the Kingdom of Bahrain entry is experienced offshore sailor and Team Director of Sail Bahrain, Nick Crabtree who, along with members of his shore crew, will be joined by Bahrain’s national sailing hero, Sami Kooheji and Captain Peter Gronberg, Managing Director of GAC, one of the largest shipping companies in the region and logistics partner to Sail Bahrain.

Also among the nine-strong crew, are two members of Oman Sail, who as part of the ongoing relationship between Sail Bahrain and Oman Sail, will use the race as a platform to share knowledge with the crew and gain valuable offshore monohull racing experience. Bahrain Radio presenter, David Bloomer completes the crew and hopes to provide regular, on board broadcast updates throughout the race.

Sail Bahrain Team Director, Nick Crabtree commented: "Following the success of last week’s launch of Sail Bahrain, we’re delighted to be competing in our first offshore race. The reaction we have received so far has been incredible. I believe seeing the boats in the water carrying the Bahrain crest, has instilled a great deal of local pride and support and we are looking forward to flying the flag for Bahrain throughout the Gulf."

Historically, the race has known some variable weather conditions. The Shamals, which can arrive in late November, could throw up some strong winds, sand and even thunder storms, whilst with daytime temperatures soaring over 30˚C, followed by a dramatic fall in temperature at night, land breezes may also form.

Crabtree continued: "Depending on the conditions, the race should take about two days, so we’ll be working a watch system to get the most out of the guys and the boat. If the winds are strong, we should do well, in the first of what we hope will be many events in the region."

The 2009 Dubai–Muscat race is scheduled to start at midday on Thursday 26 November.