Reigning EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour champions EFG Bank Monaco (MON) yesterday won the second leg of the round-Arabia yacht race, making amends for their last-minute defeat in event opener.
After being pipped to victory by Team Renaissance (OMA) right on the line in the first leg from Oman’s capital Muscat to Sohar, EFG Bank Monaco started the second stage to Khasab determined to make up for their mistake. And they did just that. In what was another thrilling leg finish they overtook arch rivals Team Al Mouj Muscat less than ten miles from Khasab after more than 130 miles of intense racing.
With such close rankings, fans are eagerly awaiting the results of upcoming Leg 3 to Abu Dhabi, where inshore action will further up the stakes at Emirates Palace Marina, Abu Dhabi, on February 21.
The crews will then set sail for penultimate port at The-Pearl-Qatar in Doha Feb 25, before heading to the thrilling finale in Dubai at Nakheel West Marina on March1.
EFG Bank Monaco, led by French skipper Thierry Douillard, crossed the line victorious at 12.37pm local time (GMT+4) today, 24 hours and 37 minutes after setting sail from Sohar. In a clear indication of how tight the racing was, Team Al Mouj Muscat, led by Christian Ponthieu of France, finished just three minutes later in second place.
The fleet, made up of professional and amateur sailing teams from all over the world, departed Sohar at midday yesterday on the second of five offshore legs that will see the teams race 763nm around the Arabian Gulf.
The crews were practically neck and neck as they match-raced along the stunning Omani and UAE coastlines until late yesterday evening when EFG Bank Monaco, winners of the last three editions of EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour, snuck ahead. By the time the leading group of four boats, which also included Team Zain (KUW) and Team Renaissance, rounded the stunning Musandam Peninsula on Oman’s northern tip Team Al Mouj Muscat, with Omani sailors Sultan al-Balushi and Nawaf al-Ghadani onboard, had taken the top spot back. With around 25 miles to sail and winds of up to 30 knots blasting them along, Team Al Mouj Muscat looked like favourites to win the leg.
But an inside line saw EFG Bank Monaco regain the lead once more, an advantage they were able to hang on to until the finish line just in front of Khasab’s port. Team Renaissance, skippered by Fahad Al Hasni, completed the podium eight minutes behind the leg winners having overtaken Team Zain (KUW) on the final stretch. The victory gives EFG Bank Monaco the overall lead in EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour after two legs, with three more offshore stages and two in-port race series to go.
