Muscat: Oman Sail’s elite team continued to make progress at the Marina MIlitare Nastro Rosa Tour in Italy despite unfavourable weather conditions – the lack of wind has impacted all teams – and technical issues with the boat, that has prevented the team from reaching its full potential.

Oman are currently eighth in a congested fleet after six stages of the eight-leg event.

Oman Sail’s team of Akram al Wahaibi, Ibtisam al Salmi, Sultan al Balushi, Ali al Balushi and Abdul Majeed al Hadhrami have embarked on their first test on board a new class, the Beneteau Figaro 3, as well as competing in wing foil and kite regattas simultaneously.

Sultan al Balushi, Wing Foil coach, said: “It is a pleasure to be here in Italy for the Nastro Rosa Tour. It is a new class and a challenge for our team, but it is a good experience and we are definitely learning as the event progresses. We have Wing Foil for the first time, again it is a new board for us but definitely a great experience. Adding the Waszp to the Tour and having the chance to have an athlete represent Oman Sail is a great thing for our country, and we can consider this class a really good class to develop sailing and fast racing.”

He added: “The Tour has been an exciting introduction to new classes for us and while results are not yet promising for podium positions, we have several legs left to go and results should improve if we have steady wind. Regardless, our main aim is to share the sport, represent our nation, learn and try new classes with a view to building on our race experience.”

Team Oman are now in Ancona for the seventh stage which started on Monday, before finally racing around the medieval shipyards of the Venetian Arsenal in Venice where the tour concludes on Saturday.