Manama: Spectators from all around the region turned out to offer their support to the six international teams as they prepared for the start of the EFG Sailing Arabia The Tour 2014 earlier on Sunday.

This event, which runs until February 24, is now in its fourth year and offers 15 days of intense sailing over a 760 nautical mile course. The grueling race spans over four countries from Bahrain to Oman, including stopovers in Doha (Qatar), Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khalmah (UAE), Musandam, Mussanah and Muscat (Oman).

Eight of the region’s premier marinas are playing host as stopover venues during the seven legs of the course. To ensure racing is as fair as possible, competitors are sailing a fleet of identical Farr 30 design yachts.

Following a prestigious ceremony at Bahrain’s Amwaj Marina, special guest of honour Sheikh. Khalifa bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, president of Bahrain Sailing Federation welcomed the teams including EFG Bank (Monaco), Royal Navy of Oman, Team Delft Challenge, Messe Frankfurt Sailing Team, Al-Thuraya Bank Muscat, Team Renaissance, wishing them safe passage.

Addressing the skippers, teams, race officials and gathered media, Sheikh Khalifa bin Abdullah Al Khalifa said: “Bahrain’s sailing heritage has been reignited thanks to the EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2014. We are proud to welcome not only our regional sailors but also our visitors to this fourth edition of the event, and hope they will enjoy two weeks of challenging, yet fun racing in the
only offshore sailing race of its kind in the region.”

The close racing between regional sailors and world elite sailors totally endorsed the ethos of the event that Oman Sail the organisers originally envisaged, which was to establish a world class regatta, encourage one of the region’s fastest growing sport and reignite the rich maritime heritage of the Gulf.

Speaking ahead of the first leg Issa Al Ismaili, Director of Events at the race’s organiser Oman Sail said: “Through EFG Sailing Arabia The Tour, Oman Sail is offering a unique and exciting platform to develop sailing in the region both now and in the future that all nations in the region can benefit from.”

“We want to leave a legacy. And we believe that by showcasing some of the best sailing talent from around the world that are gathered here to race, we can inspire a new generation of sailors, all eager to try something new,” added Ismaili.

One of the event favourites this year is French skipper Sidney Gavignet and team on EFG Bank (Monaco). Gavignet (41) is a member of a small band of international sailors who can boast success in the Volvo Ocean Race, Transat Jacques Vabre and Tour de France la Voile as well as the Olympics and the America’s Cup.

For this event Gavignet has put together a strong team including two of Oman’s best sailors Ali Al Balushi and Mohammed Al Mujaini plus some seasoned international campaigners.

Commenting before they sailed to the start yesterday, Gavignet said: “We have a good team and it is a real pleasure to sail with the local guys I haven’t sailed with before. They are all doing a good job so I feel happy at this stage of the regatta.”

American sailor, Katie Pettibone (42), veteran of three America’s Cup team and two around the world races says she has a great team for this regatta, including four local Omani girls aboard Omani entry, Al Thuraya Bank Muscat: “Even over the two days we’ve been here so far the team is progressing at great strength. We sailed for the first time as a team yesterday and I was impressed. For us it is going to be about focusing the skill sets, and seeing how they have improved so far, I am looking forward to seeing the scale of performance over the coming weeks.

Ibtisam Al Salmi (23) one of the four Omani girls aboard Al Thuraya Bank Muscat says she is keen to complete the first 100-mile leg of the race to Doha. Al Salmi who has only been sailing two years, has one of the crucial positions on the boat working in the pit, which is dealing with the sail hoists and drops: “We worked on our manoeuvres including hoisting and dropping the sails which was great.
“I am very excited about this race, particularly as my family are really behind me, and support me in my new sport.”

The first leg of the course takes the fleet on a 100-mile sprint from Bahrain to Doha, Qatar. The fleet will be based at smart The Pearl Marina, Doha where crews can relax and recover before the event’s first Inport Race which is due to start at 1100 on February 11. There will be up to three races, depending on the strength of the wind, held on short windward/leeward courses.