Friday, Aug 05, 2011
Gulf News
Dubai In less than a week, Oman Sail will be returning to Cowes Week with their two Extreme 40’s Oman Air and The Wave, Muscat competing in the Extreme Sailing Series, an Authentic Omani Experience to enjoy at the Extreme Public Race Village, the Oman Air Parade and the chance to win a luxury holiday to Oman, bringing a real flavour of the Sultanate to Cowes, on the Isle of Wight.
Just four weeks after the Extreme Sailing Series, Boston, Oman Air and The Wave, Muscat are heading to Cowes for the fifth stopover of the 2011 Extreme Sailing Series, where 12 international teams will battle it out during Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week over seven days, starting on Saturday. Oman Sail has dominated the Extreme Sailing Series for the last two years, claiming the overall Series title in both 2009 and 2010. The Wave, Muscat sailed to victory in the Cowes leg of the 2010 Series, before going on to claim the Series title.
New skipper
For The Wave, Muscat, the event in Boston saw the debut of a new skipper, in the form of British Olympian Leigh McMillan, where the team achieved their first podium result since the start of the 2011 series.
Leigh, who is fresh from finishing the Tour de France à la Voile where he was competing under the Omani flag onboard their BAE Systems sponsored boat, grew up and learnt to sail on the Isle of Wight, and is looking forward to competing in front of his home crowds.
“It was fantastic to be on the podium in Boston, obviously we hope to re-produce to achieving that in Cowes, however sailing is challenging and there are lots of variables that take place and every event has different challenges. We have to work on the details from Boston and if we continue to work as a team and build on this we can produce good results,” said McMillan.
“There will be heaps of spectators in Cowes and Oman has a big presence and that would be a great support and we look forward to deliver some good performance over the seven long days and hopefully everyone can enjoy the race,” he added.
Staff Report
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