TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA

OMAN Sail unveiled its new Multi One Design 70 yacht named “Musandam-Oman Sail” at a traditional naming ceremony complete with rose water and the fragrance of frankincense in St Nazaire, France, on Tuesday.

His Highness Sayyid Tarik bin Shabib al Said officially named Oman’s new yacht.

The ceremony was attended by Ali al Qasmi, Oman’s deputy ambassador to France, David Graham Oman Sail’s CEO and several officials from Oman Sail and the MOD 70 organising committee.

During the launch ceremony Sayyid Tarik al Said presented crew member Khamis al Anbouri with the national flag of Oman that was raised by Fahad al Hasni on board Musandam-Oman Sail, highlighting the significance of the sport for Oman’s maritime heritage.

“Oman’s history is full of mariners with a sense of adventure that have courageously crossed the deep oceans and been on journeys both eastwards to China and westwards to the United States. Today, our sailors are following in the footsteps of their forefathers.

It is the aspiration of Oman and His Majesty Sultan Qaboos’ direction to preserve our natural heritage because that is after all one of Oman’s unique selling points,” said Sayyid Tarik during the ceremony.

“It is very impressive how much Fahad, Khamis and Mohsin have achieved in so little time. Today they act as Oman’s true ambassadors, promoting our country around the globe.

“Developing role models will inspire our Omani youth to take up audacious goals and will send a message to young Omanis that no goal they set is far fetched and that with clear determination, hard work and the right attitude towards their pursuits, they can succeed,” he added.

Musandam-Oman Sail is sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism and, undersecretary Maitha al Mahrouqi, who is also the chairperson of Oman Sail, sees the Multi One Design circuit as an ideal fit for promoting the sultanate.

“We see the MOD70 series as an innovative platform to boost awareness of Oman as a world-class tourism destination.

Projections that the Krys Ocean Race and European Tour will attract a TV audience of 350 million, with 75 percent from Europe, is a perfect fit for our global brand strategy. Our yacht Musandam will showcase our tourism brand attributes in a vibrant and exciting way.

We want people to see Oman as an authentic Arabian destination where visitors will discover that beauty has an address,” she said The eight-man crew is multinational with sailors from Oman, France and Great Britain as part of the overall Oman Sail project that aims to rekindle the country’s maritime heritage and promote the Sultanate of Oman through the sport of sailing.

The three Omani sailors racing onboard have progressed through Oman Sail’s national sailing programme to the elite offshore team where they will represent their country on the international stage.

“This is a proud moment for Oman and for Oman Sail.

This crew is part of our elite offshore team and we are particularly proud of Fahad al Hasni, Khamis al Busaidi and Mohsin al Busaidi who have worked hard to earn their place alongside these French and British offshore veterans. Musandam will race to the four corners of the world and in doing so will raise awareness of Oman as a tourist and investment destination while also inspiring young Omanis to follow in their footsteps,” said Oman Sail CEO David Graham.

The trimaran, skippered by French offshore sailor Sidney Gavignet, is due to compete in its first race on Sunday ahead of a trans- Atlantic and the start of the Krys Ocean Race from New York to Brest on July 7, which heralds the beginning of the Multi One Design campaign.