(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)After their line honours win at the 2015 Artemis Challenge on Thursday the Oman Sail MOD70 crew on Musandam-Oman Sail are now focussed on adding the 2015 Rolex Fastnet line honours to their collection but will have to forego food and any frills to achieve their aim.
A forecast for light winds in the first 24 hours of the 608 nautical mile classic from Cowes to Plymouth via the iconic Fastnet Rock in the Irish Sea has prompted French skipper Sidney Gavignet to place a restriction on the gear and stores being loaded on board their 70 foot high performance trimaran. A light boat is a fast one Gavignet has reminded his six strong crew of Fahad Al Hasni Yassir Al Rahbi and Sami Al Shukaili from Oman as well as Ireland's Damian Foxall and Spain's Alex Pella. "We will have to be very aggressive about our racing weight. It is not such a long race and it will be good to show the young Omanis what it takes to win races in light conditions. It means limited food no bread no soft drinks or unnecessary things. Not even mugs. This is not an easy thing to deal with but necessary as part of their education because our aim is to win." Gavignet has 10 Fastnet Races under his belt while his deputy Damian Foxall the renowned Irish sailor will be embarking on his sixth and Al Hasni his second. This experience combined with the time spent training on the MOD70 has put Musandam-Oman Sail among the favourites to win the multihull class but according to Foxall it will not be easy. "It will be very light unpredictable and changeable so it will be very tricky" said Foxall. "We have three other multihulls to race against but in these very light conditions we are not really in control of our own destiny. We have to sail well and minimise the risk and try not to let anyone get away from us. "After the first 24 hours it will settle so we might be able to stretch our legs as we head out to the Irish Sea. This race will take longer than normal but it will be interesting because tactical decisions will be key. I doubt anyone will be setting any new records."
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