(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Oman Air skipper Stevie Morrison a two-time British Olympian and a world champion has given the thumbs-up to the Oman Sail programme for grooming local sailors and has singled out his Omani teammate Ali al Balushi for special praise.
The 36 year old sailor who was crowned world champion in the 49er class with Ben Rhodes in 2007 is admittedly impressed with Balushi's talent. Balushi is a bowman on the Oman Air crew for the 2015 Extreme Sailing Series (ESS).
Oman Air skipper Stevie Morrison
Speaking to Muscat Daily ahead of the start of Act Two of the ESS in Muscat Morrison said 'I was very impressed with Ali's performance during Act One in Singapore last month. He is a fantastic team man. Although language is an issue we still managed to do well to finish fifth.'
'With Nasser al Mashari doing well as a member of The Wave Muscat crew I believe it is testament to the success of the Oman Sail programme in developing and promoting local talent at the top level' said
Morrison who finished fifth at the 2012 London Olympics with Rhodes in the 49er class.
The Oman Air skipper said watching Omani sailors compete at the top level was very encouraging and hoped that more sailors would be groomed in future.
'The experience that Nasser gained over the past few seasons and with Ali also gaining it since the last Act of 2014 season it can be utilised by the duo in imparting valuable lessons to young talented sailors. Maybe there could be a couple of more sailors in these teams in future' he said.
Defending ESS champion The Wave Muscat - the other team in fray from Oman Sail - finished third in Act One.
Morrison said 'It helps that both the teams are from Oman Sail as we get a chance to interact offshore quite often. The Wave Muscat under its skipper Leigh McMillan has a wealth of experience which plays a key role in such races.'
Currently in fifth place Morrison is joined on board Oman Air by fellow British sailors Ed Powys and Nic Asher Australian headsail trimmer Ted Hackney and Muscat-based Balushi.
The Oman Air skipper said that his crew is 'geared up to better the result in Singapore and has targeted a fourth-place here on home waters'.
'We plan to take the ESS step by step and hope to do well over the remaining legs. Of course The Wave Muscat Red Bull Sailing Team and SAP
Extreme Sailing Team are the front-runners for the overall honours. But we will try not to make it easy for them' he said.
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