Sunday 19 / April / 2026
Muscat: Preparations for 2026 Asian games and LA28 Olympic qualification continue for Oman Sail’s high-performance 49er team this week as Waleed Al Kindi and Ahmed Al Hasani take to the waters of Hyères, France, at the 57th Semaine Olympique Française. The pair join Olympic level sailors from around the world in all ten disciplines to feature at the Games for one of the most important events in the Olympic sailing calendar.
Semaine Olympique Française is the second stage of the Sailing Grand Slam, following the recent Trofeo Princesa Sofía in Palma, Spain, and brings together defending champions, Olympic medallists and hopefuls and rising stars from across the sport.
The Omani team will be coached by experienced 49er sailor and coach Jacek Nowak as they look to build on the experience of Palma as part of a long-term strategic plan to secure qualification for Los Angeles 2028.
Hashim Al Rashdi, Oman Sail’s Head Coach Performance, said, “Oman Sail continues to promote the nation through sailing, by providing a clear pathway for sailors at all levels. Participation in prestigious events gives our team vital experience and the opportunity to compete in Olympic-level events as part of their long-term development. Semaine Olympique Française is the next step, and we have every confidence that our sailors will continue their growth as they prepare for qualifiers later in the season. Inspiring the Omani youth and raising the profile of Oman through the sport by showcasing our abilities on and off the water is a key objective as we pursue our ultimate goal of winning an Olympic medal in sailing.”
49er coach Jacek Nowak added, “Every race this year is a chance to improve. We will be ready to sail at the best of our abilities in France in preparation for events with Olympic qualification places on the line. To improve we have to sail against the best, and Palma and Hyères, as well as those events still to come, provide high quality fleets in every race. This is the level we are aiming to reach and Semaine Olympique Française is another chance to make progress towards our goals.”
Organised by the Fédération Française de Voile (FFV), racing begins on 20 April with 15 races scheduled until the medal’s series on 25 April.
Next on the calendar for the high-performance team after Hyères will be the 2026 49er World Championships in Quiberon, France, from 12-17 May, then the next Sailing Grand Slam event, Kiel Week in Germany from 20-28 June. This is followed by the 49er European Championship in Germany and Gdynia Sailing Days in Poland, both in July.
