Oman Sail show their spirit.

After a fine start in the Tour de France á la Voile, Oman Sail-Renaissance were lying in third place prior to the first offshore leg to Calais, however there were dramatic scenes at the start of the 25 mile race.

Unfortunately, shortly after the start we hit a sand back and got stuck aground for about six minutes as we watched the fleet sail away. Eventually, we got free but we then hit the top of an unmarked wreck, coming to a grinding halt from a boat speed of about seven knots!

We knew we had damage, we could see some of it internally, but we were not taking in water and pressed on. The boat speed was still impressive and we managed to pull ourselves back up to 10th, as we crossed the finish line in Calais.

Getting the boat repaired was a big job, the whole team was up all night, everybody dug in deep and that was a big plus from the incident. Great solidarity, everybody was resolved to get the job done. The organisers are happy with our repair and although we have had to take a penalty for working on the boat, we are back in the race and determined as ever. Today, we have three inshore races. It looks like we will be in 12-16 knots, good wind conditions for us.

Everybody makes mistakes and yesterday was a true test of the spirit in this team. What doesn’t break you makes you stronger. Today, Oman Sail Renaissance is still very much in this race and the team spirit is even stronger. Yesterday is just part of this great adventure.

Best wishes,

Robert

TdV Stage 1: Dunkerque 2 inshore races.

Over the weekend we started the Tour, great to finally get going.

Two races in super light conditions with loads of tide, at least the sun was shining! Our eighth and second is ok, we sailed the boat well and often we were first to the top mark or damn close. The results have us 3rd overall, which I am pleased with.

This morning we compete in the first offshore race, a little 25 miler to Calais, it will be the first time that the Omani members of our crew have raced offshore. It looks like it will be light with tide pushing along at the start but the tide will turn pretty early on and the breeze should build, so hopefully we will get a taste of what these boats are like to sail offshore, in waves with a bit of breeze!

So this morning we leave Dunkirk for Calais to start our first offshore.

Having fun!

Robert

VIDEO Oman Sail win in Le Havre

TDV "One of the best events in the world"

The Tour De Voile is simply one of the best events in the world, sailed in great boats at a very high level and I’m excited that Oman Sail have got involved in such a great race.




It has been a great learning experience for the Omani crewmembers, however they are fully part of the team, and it is a team effort that will be required in order to perform well. I think our results have shown that we are definitely capable of delivering. We surprised ourselves and surpassed our expectations by winning in Pornichet where we were aiming to finish in the top five. We wanted to finish in the top three in Normandy and we won comfortably. Our aim for the TDV still remains to finish in the top five.

VIDEO OMAN SAIL Renaissance 2nd in Pornichet

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Ready for the off!

Dunkirk 0900 24.0610

After a great build up it is nearly time to begin the Tour and I am looking forward to a great adventure! It has been eight years since my first Tour, we finished a creditable fourth. Anthony Haines (AKA Ski) was the boat manager then as he is now and he has put in a lot of hard work getting Oman Sail Renaissance prepared. However, all of the team will need to dig deep if we are to achieve the result we are capable of. Bring it on!

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