Sailing Sponsorship to promote Tourism

Keeping in tradition with its revered maritime heritage, the Oman Sail Team has gained world recognition by finishing fourth place in the first iShares Cup Extreme 40 Series, ahead of the pre-race favourites.

Supported by the Sultanate of Oman as part of its long-term charter to promote the country as a world-class sailing destination and as a place for investment, business and leisure, the Oman Sail Team’s preselection was based on completing gruelling land and sea assessments and intensive sail training.

The iShares Cup Extreme 40 Sailing Series is showing how sailing can compete with other sports through its innovative sponsorship – including the Sultanate of Oman’s striking coat of arms (khanjar) on its sails and the excitement generated by the sleek Extreme 40 yachts for the iShares Cup. Adding further spice to the series was the recent purchase of the Extreme 40 yachts by America’s Cup syndicates, Alinghi and BMW Orade.

“Not only did the crew find themselves rubbing shoulders with some of the best professional sailors in the world, including a double Olympic gold medallist and the winning skipper of last year’s America Cup, Oman’s entry into world sailing included winning the second race on the first day of the three day regatta. The Oman Sail Team is now a team to be reckoned with,” said Mona Tannous, Oman Ministry of Tourism’s Australian Director.

“Oman has a proud maritime heritage so the profile and competition of the iShares Cup is an event of great interest to us. We know the iShares Cup attracts Olympic and America’s Cup competitors, and Oman is looking forward to entering its own team on the World’s sailing stage and competing with the best,” said Her Excellency, Dr Rajiha bint Abdul Amir bin Ali, the Sultanate of Oman’s Minister of Tourism