Qatar International Optimist Regatta 2025 kicked off Tuesday at Rixos Gulf Hotel beach, organized by Qatar Sailing and Rowing Federation (QSRF). The event, running until February 8, features 52 young sailors from 12 countries.
The opening day saw fierce competition as participants battled for top positions. Two races were held, each lasting over an hour, with impressive performances and tight finishes.
Qatari sailor Tamim Shams secured fifth place overall with 15 points, finishing ninth in the first race and sixth in the second. Polands Erik Kasimierczyk topped the leaderboard with three points after finishing second in the first race and winning the second.
Emirati sailor Khalifa Al Rumaithi took second place overall with five points, winning the first race and finishing fourth in the second. Britain's Edward John West ranked third with seven points, placing fifth in the first race and second in the second. Emirati sailor Kornelia Bajak finished fourth with eight points after securing third place in the first race and fifth in the second.
Other Qatari sailors also put in strong performances. Youssef Al Ibrahim finished 10th overall with 26 points, while Ali Al Buainain placed 14th with 37 points, and Abdullah Al Buainain came in 17th with 41 points.
Further down the rankings, Abdulaziz Al Mahmoud secured 23rd place with 56 points, Fahad Al Ibrahim finished 27th with 60 points, and Khalifa Al Yafei placed 41st with 83 points.
In the first race, Khalifa Al Rumaithi claimed victory, followed by Erik Kasimierczyk in second and Kornelia Bajak in third. The second race saw Kasimierczyk take the win, with Edward John West finishing second and Egypts Mahmoud Ahmed Qandil securing third.
President of QSRF and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Rashid Majid Al Sulaiti, praised the high level of competition, noting the close performances among sailors.
In a press statement, Al Sulaiti commended Qatar teams strong start and expressed confidence in their ability to compete for top positions.
He also highlighted the favorable race conditions, with safety measures in place and optimal weather conditions, particularly in terms of wind speed.
The championship features participants from 12 countries: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Iraq, Turkiye, India, Poland, and United Kingdom. (QN
