Qatar to participate at Sailing Arabia The Tour Wednesday, 01 February 2012 23:35

Mohammad Al Eissa, Regional Public Relations Manager, Oman Sail, explaining the route. Right: Women’s Team Al Thuraya Bank Muscat.

Doha: Team Commercialbank will represent Qatar in the second edition of Sailing Arabia The Tour it was announced here yesterday.

Frenchman Bertrand Pace will be the man leading Qatar’s challenge in the Sailing Arabia The Tour, the first international sailing regatta which brings together the nations of the Gulf to race competitively around the region. The race is organised by Oman Sail in collaboration with a number of Federations and authorities from the Gulf region. The 2nd edition of the tour will kick off in February.

Yesterday, Pearl Qatar, Qatar Sailing and Rowing Federation and Oman Sail revealed Qatar’s entry sponsored by Commercialbank along with the man charged with leading the team.

No stranger to offshore sailing, Pace won consecutive victories in Le Tour de France à la Voile, the event on which SATT is based, in 2010 and 2011. He is currently Sports Director for Aleph – a French sailing team competing in the America’s Cup World Series.

Pace led a French team to victory in the 2011 edition of SATT and in 2012 he returns to lead the team hailing from Qatar.  Khalifa Mohammed Al Suwaidi, President of Qatar Sailing and Rowing Federation was delighted that the Qatar leg fo the Tour willbe held on the National Sports day.

“We thank Oman Sail for organising the second edition of Sailing Arabia The Tour, a concept that revives the rich maritime heritage associated with the region in the modern side of sailing. Hosting the in port races in Doha on February 14 comes in celebration with Qatar’s National Sports Day and this will provide a great opportunity for the crowd to support their team and enjoy the race from a close distance.”

“We are delighted to have a Qatari team competing in the Tour and see Doha host the event for the second time. We thank HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatar Olympic Committee in his support of sailing and water sports in Qatar,” he added.

The marine tourism industry and the sport of sailing are growing rapidly in the GCC, according to Oman Sail’s Events Director, Issa Ismaili, explaining why SATT has proved to be so popular and what it means to the region.

“SATT provides a winter alternative to the European offshore event and the timing is perfect as a prelude to the European sailing season. Each leg will present different challenges to the sailors and many of the international sailors will be using SATT as a training ground.”

“This is just the second edition of SATT and the event is already talked about by the international sailing community. The event has grown since its first year and in 2013 we aim to attract even more teams, both from the international sailing fraternity and from the region. The additional teams from the region are essential to the continued success of the event. SATT is a prefect platform for us to promote sailing – one of the fastest growing sports in the region.”

The team members announced to date include Bertrand Pace, skipper and his crew of Vincent Portgual, Gildas Morvan, Julien Falxa, Cedric Chateu and Clement Salzes.

Named after its sponsor, Qatar’s team Commercialbank Group will go head to head with four teams from Oman, as well as teams from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Ras Al Khaimah representing United Arab Emirates and an entry from Pace’s home country - France.      The Peninsula

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