Muscat – Nine talented young sailors from Oman Sail’s Optimist team will travel to Abu Dhabi to represent Oman at the 2023 IODA Optimist Asian and Oceanian Championship. The racing begins on 31 October, through until the final day on 4 November, and brings together 161 young sailors from 28 nations for the event, which is also part of the 50th anniversary celebrations for the Optimist class.

Representing Oman will be Saoud al Shaqsi, Tameem al Balushi, Firas al Nabhani, Hasan al Wahaibi and Abdul Rahman al Hadi. Harib al Busaidi and Habib al Hussaini will compete in the Under-12 category, while Hadeel al Mushaifri and Tarteel al Hasani will race in the Optimist Girls competition.

The team will be led by Mohsin al Busaidi and coached by Sultan al Zadjali, and assistants Suhail al Mayahi and Ibraham al Fedhaili. Huda al Ghilani will travel with the team to support in a team management role.

 Additionally, Abdulaziz Salim al Shidi has been nominated by the Organising Committee to act as a race officer for the event, with Ali Salim al Harbi and Aabid Yaqoob al Balushi assisting as mark layers during racing.

 Mohsin al Busaidi, Team Leader and Head of Performance at Oman Sail, said, “This is an important step in the development of our sailing team. The 2023 IODA Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship offers a chance for our young sailors to test themselves against their peers from across the continent and put into practice the techniques we have been prioritising in training. We expect a strong fleet and a high level of competition on the water, but we are confident of performing well.”

Sultan al Zadjali, Head Coach of the Optimist team, added, “Participation in recent regattas, including Mussanah Race Week, have helped prepare the team for higher levels of competition and given them vital exposure to competitive environments. Representing the nation is always a proud moment for any sailor and we have all been working hard to give the team the best possible chance to sail well and, hopefully, earn honours for Oman Sail and for our nation.”

The 2023 IODA Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship is organised by the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club and the UAE Sailing & Rowing Federation under the authority of the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA).