Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008
Gulf News
Muscat: Dubai-based Malcolm and Sue MacGregor swept the honours in the fifth edition of the Nawras Hobie 16 National Championship at the Ras Al Hamraa Boat Club in Muscat.
A record 27 catamarans from Muscat, Dubai and Abu Dhabi took part in the annual event.
Three Omani teams from the Ministry of Sports Affairs demonstrated the value of the current sailing training programme for Omani sailors with an impressive final placing of ninth overall for Suleiman Khamis Al Wahaibi and Abdul Latif Al Wahaibi.
The event saw five teams from Dubai taking part along with two from Abu Dhabi and two teams from the Castaways of Oman.
The host sailing club PDO Recreation Club made up the balance and the standard of racing between the 54 sailors was highly competitive.
With a schedule of nine races over two days, spirits were high amongst the teams.
Morale was boosted further with the forecast of an easterly wind of 12 knots, which was predicted to hold for the duration of the Championship.
Presenting the Nawras trophies to the winners was Tore Solberg, Chief Commercial Officer of Nawras.
Better organised
He said: "I have been watching the Hobie 16 National Sailing Championship for the last four years and there is no doubt that the event is becoming more competitive and better organised with each passing year.
"This event also gives us a chance to highlight our reliable offshore network coverage.
"Whether fishermen or those simply enjoying the water for recreation and sports, our customers can rest assured that they can even enjoy our world class network coverage as far as five kilometres from shore."
Results
Champions: Malcolm and Sue MacGregor, Dubai; Second place: Barnaby Houk and Helen Morgan, Abu Dhabi/Oman; Third place: Klaus Mueller and Jane Nicolson - PDO;
Best placed Omani Team, ninth place overall: Suleiman Khamis Al Wahaibi and Abdul Latif Al Wahaibi; Ministry of Sports Affairs
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