Low winds prove challenging at 2022 RS Venture Connect World meet

Canadian sailors John McRoberts and Scott Lutes led the way in the Para Fleet, and second overall, notching one win and a second place from the opening three races. Piotr Cichoki and Olga Gornas-Grudzien sit in second. 

Pravasi  Samwad.com

Muscat: Oman Sail’s 2022 RS Venture Connect World Championships gets underway at the Barceló Mussanah Resort where 39 teams from 19 nations took to the waters in light winds of between 5-7 knots. 

Racing is taking place in ‘para’ and ‘open’ categories, which allows one para sailor to be accompanied by one non-para sailor. Wind conditions are expected to remain steady throughout the week, reaching 8 knots, which may prove difficult for the teams in a fight to claim the top positions.

Canadian sailors John McRoberts and Scott Lutes led the way in the Para Fleet, and second overall, notching one win and a second place from the opening three races. Piotr Cichoki and Olga Gornas-Grudzien sit in second. 

Level on points are Oman’s Malik Al Qartobi and Ghalya Al Jabri in joint third with Fia Fjelddahl and Patric Rosenberg of Sweden, just three points behind the leaders.

The Omani team of Zaher Al Atbi and Ali Al Ghasaini ended the day in 26th overall, Rayyan Al Mujaini and Hamed Al Subhi are currently in 30th overall, Hassan Al Lawati and Sami Al Sulaimi are 32nd overall and Adil Al Siyabi and Nasser Al Rahbi are currently 34th overall as part of a very close chasing pack.

Oman’s Sultan Al Wahabi and Ahmed Al Balushi lead the Open Fleet by one point from the Australian teams of Christopher Symonds and Manuela Linger, and Genevieve Wickham and Grant Alderson.  

Said Al Aurimi, Race Officer, said, “We have received good feedback from the sailors about the courses and how the race has been managed. We have also had light winds which has made it a challenge to complete the planned three races per day, but from today we expect good conditions and stronger winds which will be better for the sailors. The courses have been designed specifically for the RS Venture Connect World Championships because the boat is typically heavier than most other vessels, requiring more technique and different conditions to manoeuvre the boat. The forecast for the rest of the week is looking good and we hope for excellent days of racing ahead.”

Oman’s Sultan Al Wahabi and Ahmed Al Balushi lead the Open Fleet by one point from the Australian teams of Christopher Symonds and Manuela Linger, and Genevieve Wickham and Grant Alderson.  

The RS Venture Connect World Championships are supported by bp Oman, the Oman Paralympic Committee, Oman Maritime Sports Committee, Oman Air, the Barceló Mussanah Resort, Tanuf, the International Maritime College Oman (IMCO), RS Sailing, and environmental partners Clean Seas and Environment Society of Oman (ESO).

Full Event Programme:

About Oman Sail: 

Operating under Oman Tourism Development Company, Oman Sail is tasked with rekindling the country’s maritime eminence, promote the Sultanate around the world through sailing, contribute to the sustainable prosperity of the nation and provide long-term learning opportunities for the youth.

Since 2008, Oman Sail has built a solid foundation around Sailing, Tourism, Commerce, Health and Environment, all underpinned with competency-based development for its workforce. Committed to offering both men and women equal opportunities to learn, Oman Sail’s programmes focus on nurturing young talent to develop the sailing champions of tomorrow, increasing revenue in the tourism, activity and experiential learning markets and gaining prominent international exposure for the country. 

The company has a strong track record in delivering a portfolio of events across the Sultanate to showcase Oman’s natural beauty, tourism potential, the people’s hospitality, and the infrastructure readiness for business opportunities. More information can be found on www.omansail.com

About Barceló Hotel Group:  

Barceló Hotel Group is the hotel division of the Barceló Group, which is the 29th largest hotel chain in the world. It currently operates more than 270 leisure and city hotels with 4 and 5 stars, and over 60,000 rooms in 24 countries worldwide, all marketed under four brands: Royal Hideaway Luxury Hotels & Resorts, Barceló Hotels & Resorts, Occidental Hotels & Resorts, and Allegro Hotels.

In May 2021, Barceló Hotel Group’s UAE portfolio received prestigious recognition at the TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards 2021 with Barceló Residences Dubai Marina and Dukes The Palm, a Royal Hideaway Hotel being recognized in the top 10% of hotels worldwide.

Barceló Hotel Group achieved the ‘World’s Leading Hotel Management Company’ award at the World Travel Awards 2021.

More information can be found on our website: www.omansail.com

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