The 2019 Dubai to Muscat Offshore Sailing Race officially ended at 18.00hrs yesterday, Tuesday 6th March with the release of the final results for the event. It was an eventful race which saw several boats retire just hours after the fleet crossed the start line off The Dubai International Boat Show on Thursday 28th February, as winds veered to the north-west and increased, to add to the already poor visibility. The boats that retired early listed torn sails and a broken forestay amongst the damage sustained in those early gusts.
With the forecast showing a sustained Shamal weather pattern bringing even higher winds, the race organisers had already taken the decision to put additional safety measures in place for this edition of the long-running event. All boats had already been through scrutineering with the international race officials and the organisers were confident that all entries had the appropriate safety equipment & knowledge on-board. The Double Handed race entries were also required to have taken part in a sea-survival training course.
After the early gusts, the weather then calmed significantly giving the boats a quiet first evening, hunting the breeze up the west coast of the United Arab Emirates. The following morning the winds increased again as the crews raced to make the virtual safety cut-off line, due north from Khasab Point.
With expected sustained wind speeds over 30knots and gusting to 50knots, forecast for Friday night, the Race Organisers had put this safety measure in place so that the slower Rally Class boats would have to seek shelter overnight if they had not reached this mark on the course. The faster boats would be deemed to be far enough past Khasab Point to be able to continue round the Musandam Peninsula, without the meeting the brunt of the heavy winds, in what is still a very remote part of the Omani coastline. In the event the conditions were too much for some with only SY Exodus continuing having taken a more northerly route, and the remaining 6 boats seeking refuge in Khasab Bay & Khasab Port, with gracious assistance from the Khasab Port officials.
The following day and with the conditions easing slightly, 5 of the 6 boats again crossed the virtual cut-off line to restart the race. With an additional retirement during the day the fleet was now reduced to a total of just 5 boats and SY Exodus appeared to be way out in front. However as the final results would be based on an adjustment for the boats handicap ratings, as well as redress for the time in refuge, it was still very much a race. Exodus skippered by owner Phil Ellerby took Line Honours just after 3am on Sunday morning and in the final results also took 1st in the IRC Class. 2nd was the double-handed Twister & 3rd Pink Diamond skippered by owner Bernard de Wolf. Seabiscuit with owner/skipper Bob Bennett was 1st in the NHC Class, with the double-handed Playmate skippered by Maarten van der Harst taking 1st in the Rally division. The Double Handed Class was won by Matt Britton & Mitch Webb on-board Twister.
The race organisers and crews are very grateful for all cooperation and assistance received from the UAE & Omani Police, Coastguard & Immigration officials in facilitating this event.
© Carole Worrall / UAE SARF