Multi One Design : The ultimate sailing worldclass 2010-2020

In a traditional Omani welcome with rose water and the fragrance of frankincense His Highness Sayyid Tarik bin Shabib Al Said, officially named Oman’s new yacht, a Multi One Design 70, “Musandam-Oman Sail” yesterday in St Nazaire, France.

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 MOD70 organising committee.

During the launch ceremony HH Sayyid Tarik Al Said presented crewmember, 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 to 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.

It is very impressive how much Fahad, Khamis and Mohsin have achieved in so little time. Today they act as Oman’s true ambassadors in 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,” said His Highness Sayyid Tarik bin Shabib Al Said during the ceremony.

“Musandam-Oman Sail” is sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism and undersecretary, Her Excellency Maitha Al Mahrouqi, also 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% 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.”

The eight-man crew is multinational with sailors from Oman, France and Great Britain is 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 the 7 July, which heralds the beginning of the Multi One Design campaign.

Mohsin Al Busaidi who became the first Arab to sail around the world non-stop in 2009 on board another trimaran, also named ‘Musandam’, evoked memories of his inspirational journey during the ceremony. “Musandam-Oman Sail brings back a lot of great memories and we will carry this name with us now on our new journey that reflects a huge milestone for Oman Sail’s offshore team. I am delighted to be a member of this crew and especially to be joined by two of my colleagues Khamis, our Extreme 40 national hero, and our young sailor Fahad who has shown a great sense of determination to qualify to join the Musandam team. This project showcases the development of the Omani sailors in a very short time frame and we are just getting started.”


Musandam-Oman Sail MOD 70 Crew List
Race crew
Sidney Gavignet (FRA)
Ryan Breymaier (USA) (stand in for Loik Gallon (FRA), who is injured)
Fahad Al Hasni (OMA)
Mohsin Al Busaidi (OMA)
Khamis Al Anbouri (OMA)
Jeff Cuzon (FRA)
Brian Thompson (GBR)
Thomas Le Breton (FRA)
Shore team
Phil Rivett (AUS)
Suleiman Al Manji (OMA)
Mohamed Al Wahaibi (OMA)

Source: Musandam-Oman Sail