Oman
Sail Performance Team delivers strong ILCA and 29er Results in Malaysia

Muscat,
24 Nov 2025 (ONA) — Oman Sail’s Performance
Team successfully competed in the 39th MSA–NSC–MILO National Open Championship
2025, a major multi-class ranking regatta in Langkawi, Malaysia that attracted
strong national and international fleets. The championship comprised 12 races
in both the ILCA 4, ILCA 6, ILCA 7 and 29er classes, challenging the sailors
with a variety of wind and sea conditions.

Overall,
the team achieved a solid performance, gaining valuable international
experience, particularly for the first-time participants, and demonstrating
significant progress in line with Oman Sail’s long-term competitive pathway
towards the 2026 Asian Games and the second edition of the Arab
Sailing Championship for Women will take place in Kuwait from 2-5 December 2025.

The
29er Team made their international debut at this regatta and despite this being
their first international outing, the teams gained valuable exposure and
learning in crucial areas such as full-fleet racing, tactical positioning,
high-pressure boat-handling, and effective fleet covering on both upwind and
downwind legs. Tamim Al Balushi and Saleh Al Balushi finished in 4th place,
while Soud Al Shaqsi and Firas Al Nabhani secured 5th place overall.

The
Asyad ILCA 4 squad also delivered a strong campaign, demonstrating their
ability to adapt to shifting wind conditions, manage fleet interaction, and
maintain competitive boat speed. Abdulatif Al Qasmi achieved a podium finish,
taking 3rd place, while Hassan Al Wahaibi and Aws Al Busaidi finished in 13th
place and 14th place, respectively.

In
the ILCA 6 Women’s competition, Ibtisam Al Salmi finished in 8th place after
showing notable improvement throughout the championship and achieving multiple
top-three race finishes. Hussain Al Jabri, competing in the highly competitive
ILCA 7 fleet which included Asian-level sailors, maintained steady top 10
results, finishing in 8th place overall.

Hashim
Al Rashdi, Oman Sail’s Head Coach Performance, said, “This championship
was an important marker for our long-term competitive pathway, especially as we
look ahead to the 2026 Asian Games. The entire Performance Team showed
tremendous spirit, and securing a podium finish in ILCA 4 and delivering strong
top-five results in the 29er class—in their first international outing—is
highly encouraging.

“The
experience gained in managing full-fleet pressure, adapting to varied
conditions, and tactical decision-making will be invaluable. We leave Malaysia
with a clear understanding of our strengths, such as our improved boat
handling, and a focused plan to address areas like start-line execution and
race endurance, ensuring we continue to build fast, effective, and confident
sailors,” he added.

The
39th MSA-NSC-MILO National Open Championship 2025 was held at the National
Sailing Centre, Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia and organised by the Kedah Sailing
Association with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Ministry of Education
under the auspices of the National Sport Council and the Malaysian Sailing
Association (MSA).

—Ends/AG