Oman Air scoop Extreme Sailing Series title

Date

3/21/2016 6:06:52 PM

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

Oman Air opened their 2016 Extreme Sailing Series account with a resounding win on home waters in Muscat after a fourth day of blistering performances which thrilled the Omani crowds and left skipper Morgan Larson and his crew buoyed with confidence.

The final double points race at Al Mouj proved to be a nail-biter with Oman Air and Red Bull battling all the way to the finish line and although the Austrians nailed it by a whisker Larson's team had already claimed an overall victory by a decisive 33 points.

It had been a great week said American skipper Larson making his debut with Oman Sail's GC32 Oman Air. "I am ecstatic - every day here in Muscat we sailed at our highest level and that is what you need to do in this fleet. We are really happy to do it at home."

Throughout the four days Larson and his team of Pete Greenhalgh Ed Smyth Nasser Al Mashari and James Wierzbowski produced a stream of consistent top performances with a remarkable 16 podium places in 19 races including 10 outright wins. They were hoping to post their 11th in the final race but some intense opposition from Red Bull was likely to be a healthy portent for future battles Larson added.

"The guys worked hard and it was so close we couldn't tell who had crossed the line first but good on Red Bull - they pushed hard in the last couple of races to get back into second overall.

"We know the other teams made a few mistakes here and there but they will iron things out ahead of the next Act so we will certainly have our work cut out to stay ahead.

"This win gives us a lot of confidence and we needed it because we hadn't found our rhythm yet after two weeks of training so it is nice to get it right and know we can win."

Winning at home was the icing on the cake for the Omani sailor and shore crew on the Oman Air team added Nasser Al Mashari.

"We are so so proud with what we have achieved" he said. "It is always good to win but very special to win in front of family and friends so we are really happy. Hopefully we can go to China and continue our success."

Oman Air collect 10 points from the Muscat Act to sit at the top of the overall 2016 leaderboard and will set out to add another maximum to their tally on April 29 when the fleet reconvenes in Qingdao for another four days of spectacular stadium racing.

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