Mussanah
Race Week, 3rd Arab Women’s Sailing Championship Begin

Muscat,
18 Oct 2026 (ONA) — Competitive action officially got underway at the Barceló
Mussanah Resort, as the opening day of racing at the 15th Mussanah Race Week
and 3rd Arab Women’s Sailing Championship began. The waters off Mussanah came
alive as competitors across the Optimist, ILCA, and inclusive classes hit the
course for the first day of practice races.

The
competitions see the participation of over 100 sailors from Oman, the UAE,
Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, Tunisia and India battling for early leaderboard
positions.

The
regatta also turned a sharp focus toward environmental stewardship as, against
the backdrop of high-performance fleet action across multiple classes, the
events made an equally powerful impact on land with the launch of environmental
initiatives and the inaugural Community Sustainability Lab.

The
practice races followed registration, boat inspections, technical briefings,
and training sessions, giving sailors time to familiarise themselves with the
courses and local conditions. Mussanah Race Week features racing across several
boat classes, while the Arab Women’s Sailing Championship includes Optimist,
ILCA 4 and ILCA 6. Organised in partnership with the Oman Maritime Sports
Committee and the Arab Sailing Federation, the women’s championship aims to
increase participation and develop sailors’ technical and racing skills.

Qasim
Abdulrazzaq, Technical Director of the Bahrain Sailing Team, said: “We are
pleased to return to Mussanah, having competed in several championships here
over the years. This year, Bahrain is represented by seven sailors, including
three female sailors competing in the Arab Women’s Sailing Championship and
four sailors in Mussanah Race Week. Our focus is on developing their technical
skills and gaining valuable racing experience against competitors from across
the region and beyond.”

He
added: “We continue to work towards raising the standard of sailing in Bahrain
and preparing our sailors to compete at regional and international levels.
Events such as Mussanah Race Week provide an important opportunity for our
sailors to gain experience, learn from other competitors and build connections
that will support their long-term development in the sport.”

Dr.
Mohammed Al Awadhi, Technical Director of the Kuwait National Sailing Team,
highlighted the importance of participating in Mussanah Race Week and the Arab
Women’s Sailing Championship, noting that the Kuwaiti team had completed a
month-long training programme ahead of the competitions.

He
said: “We expect strong competition with teams from different countries taking
part, and we aim to achieve positive results. Mussanah Race Week provides an
important opportunity for sailors to gain competitive experience, exchange
knowledge and improve their technical skills. Regular participation in
international championships is essential for developing sailors and improving
their performance from one event to the next.”

Adding
profound local resonance, yesterday marked the launch of the first Community
Sustainability Lab, coinciding with Omani Women’s Day. Targeting school and
college students, particularly females aged 14 and above from the South Al
Batinah Governorate, as well as teachers, the initiative reflects Mussanah Race
Week’s commitment to extending its community impact far beyond the sailing
competitions.

Saada
Ahmed Al Habsi, lead coordinator of the lab, said: “The Community
Sustainability Lab gives girls and young women a platform to turn their ideas
into practical environmental solutions. We want to build their understanding of
sustainability and their confidence to make a positive difference in their
communities.”

She
added: “The initiative builds on Oman Sail’s commitment to sustainability
through Clean Regattas practices, including reducing single-use plastics,
encouraging recycling and organising beach clean-ups. We want participants to
take these practices back to their schools and communities, creating a lasting
impact.”

The
environmental programme also includes a clean-up of Mussanah beach, bringing
together 51 sailors, volunteers and local residents to raise awareness of
marine and coastal conservation. Mussanah Race Week achieved Gold certification
under the Clean Regattas programme in 2025 in recognition of its environmental
practices.

Mohammed
Ali Al Balushi, a member of the event’s sailor safety team, said: “Sailor
safety is our priority. Our rescue boats and safety teams are ready, and we
continuously monitor weather and sea conditions in close coordination with race
committees and medical teams so we can respond quickly and effectively.”

He
added: “We have clear procedures for changing weather conditions, including
postponing or rescheduling races when needed. We also ensure all participants
follow safety instructions, allowing sailors to compete at their best in a safe
environment.”

Both
events support Oman Sail’s work to develop national talent, empower young
people and women, and increase community participation in sport. They also
contribute to Oman Vision 2040 objectives and strengthen Oman’s position as a
host of international sporting events.

—Ends/AG