Tuesday 28 / October / 2025
Mussanah – The opening races of the 2025 Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship got underway yesterday (Monday) at Oman Sail’s Mussanah Sailing School, Barceló Resort. Organised by Oman Sail in collaboration with the Oman Marine Sports Committee and the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA), the championship brings together 180 sailors from 25 countries across Asia and Oceania for a week of world-class racing.
The first day of competition took place in ideal sailing conditions with steady winds allowing smooth progress of the qualifying rounds, which will continue over two days to determine the final Gold, Silver, and Bronze fleets. Sailors have been divided into three colour groups – red, yellow, and blue – each completing four qualifying races to decide their ranking and fleet allocation for the next stage.
This qualifying phase is a crucial point in the championship as the top sailors will advance to the Gold Fleet, where the event’s leading competitors will battle for top honours, while the remaining participants continue in the Silver and Bronze Fleets. The qualifying races continue today (Tuesday), followed by team racing on Wednesday, and the final races on Thursday and Friday to determine the overall champions in the Asian, Oceanian, and Girls’ categories, as well as the overall and team results. Prizes for the top three in each category will be presented during the closing ceremony.
Representing the host nation, the Oman national team comprises ten young sailors: Mohammed Al Balushi, Habib Al Hussaini, Al Khalil Al Foori, Mohammed Al Qasmi, Khalid Al Sarihi, Hood Al Nofli, Khamis Al Mashaikhi, Hadeel Al Mushaifri, Tarteel Al Hasani, and Layan Al Ruzaiqi. They join a diverse field of competitors from the GCC, as well as from South America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania – highlighting the championship’s global character.
A total of 180 sailors aged between 8 and 15 are taking part, alongside coaches, team leaders, and support staff. The Optimist class is the official entry-level dinghy for youth sailors worldwide, offering a vital foundation for developing future champions in the sport of sailing.
Nawaf bin Yaqoob Al Ghadhani, Race Manager, highlighted that the success of any race depends on precise preparation and adherence to international regulations, saying: “Our work begins by preparing the race instructions, which outline all rules, systems, and requirements to ensure a well-organised event. We then verify every technical detail, such as buoy colours, the number of boats and officials, and electronic devices used to measure wind speed and direction. A trial day is conducted before the start to test all tools and systems. During racing, every start and finish line is carefully recorded, and in the event of any protest, our race management team is ready to provide detailed evidence and reports to assist the jury in making fair decisions.”
He added: “Over the past decade, we have not encountered any major issues, as all competitions have been conducted with full fairness. Everyone praises the professionalism of the Omani race management team, which reflects the high capability of our national staff. The three days leading up to the championship are dedicated to official training for all teams, during which they receive equipment, data on wind and current conditions, and the chance to familiarise themselves with the racing area for optimal preparation.”
Al Ghadhani also addressed the impact of weather conditions, stating: “Naturally, weather plays a major role in racing. There are safe limits for wind speed and wave height; if these limits are exceeded, races are postponed to ensure sailor safety. Safety is always our top priority. If the full schedule cannot be completed due to weather, the results of completed races are validated provided the minimum number of races required has been achieved.”
Emerald Jacobsen from Team Australia said: “I’ve been preparing for this championship through several training camps with my team to make sure we’re fully ready and can start strong. We completed one race yesterday in very light and choppy wind conditions, which made it quite challenging, but our goal is to sail our best and make the most of our growing experience here in Oman. The organisation has been excellent, the venue is impressive, and although the weather is quite hot, it’s been a great experience so far.”
Bernardo from Team Brazil said: “It’s amazing to be here in Oman — the atmosphere, the organisation, and the sailing conditions are all excellent. Yesterday’s races were challenging with shifting winds, but it was a great learning experience for me and the team. Our goal in this championship is to stay consistent, improve with every race, and gain as much experience as possible while competing against some of the best young sailors in the region. We’re really enjoying our time here and appreciate the warm hospitality from everyone.”
Khalifa bin Khalid Al-Yafei from Team Qatar said: “I’m very happy to take part in the Optimist Asian and Oceanian Championship here in Oman. The atmosphere is great, and the organisation is excellent, showing strong experience in hosting major events. Yesterday’s races went well despite some wind shifts, and we managed to deliver a steady performance with encouraging results. Our goal is to keep improving with each race and gain valuable experience in such a strong and competitive fleet, which is a great opportunity to learn and grow as sailors.”
Omani sailor Mohammed Al Qasmi commented: “We benefited greatly from the training days leading up to the event. Today was a strong start, and our goal is to qualify for the Gold Fleet and maintain consistency through to the final day.”
The 2025 Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship is organised by Oman Sail in collaboration with the Oman Marine Sports Committee and the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA), supported by Gold Partner QNB Oman, along with Mazoon Dairy, Tanuf Water, Barceló Mussanah Resort, and Visit Oman as Bronze Partners.
