Monday 23 / June / 2025
Muscat – Oman’s high performance 49er team has commenced racing in Kiel, Germany, at the prestigious Kieler Woche regatta, one of the world’s largest sailing events. The team, represented by Musab Al Hadi and Waleed Al Kindi, has joined 81 crews from 22 nations in the Men’s Skiff 49er competition, held from 21 - 25 June as part of the event’s Olympic programme.
The event marks the team’s second major international competition of the season, following their participation in the 49er European Championship in Greece earlier this month. With 12 races scheduled over five days, the regatta offers a critical opportunity to refine skills and gain experience against a highly competitive fleet. The team, however, was forced to wait for their first race of the day due to the light summer breeze and ended their shortened in 33rd position after completing just two races.
Hashim Al Rashdi, Oman Sail’s Head Performance Coach, commented: “Kieler Woche is a cornerstone event in our preparation for the Asian Games 2026 and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The level of competition here is exceptional, providing our sailors with an ideal platform to test their progress under pressure. Musab and Waleed have shown great dedication, and we’re confident this event will play a key role in their development as they work toward Olympic qualification.”
The team is coached by Jacek Nowak, a seasoned 49er campaigner with extensive experience in European and world championships. Nowak emphasised the importance of adaptability: “Kiel’s conditions can be unpredictable, demanding quick decision-making and technical precision. Our goal is to leverage every race to strengthen the crew’s tactical awareness and resilience, which are key for the upcoming World Championship and Asian Championship.”
Following Kieler Woche, the team will return to Oman for further training before heading to the 49er World Championship in Italy from 7-13 October and the Asian Sailing Championship in November.
