Oman Sail; Optimist team delivers strong performance at 2026 Arab Sailing Championship in Jeddah

Muscat: The Oman Sail Optimist team has concluded its campaign at the 2026 Arab Sailing Championship - Optimist in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, returning home with two medals, a trophy, and several impressive achievements in both team and individual categories.Held from 17–21 September at the Jeddah Sailing Centre on the Red Sea coast, the regatta brought together emerging youth sailing talent from 11 participating nations. The Omani team, comprised of five promising young sailors - Khalid Yahya Al Suraihi, Mohammed Sulaiman Al Balushi, Mohammed Zeyad Al Qasmi, Al Khalil Ibrahim Al Fori, and Elyas Maher Al Khodhori - delivered a strong performance. In the Team Race competition, Oman secured an impressive 2nd place finish. The individual fleet races also highlighted the team's depth and skill, with Mohammed Sulaiman Al Balushi claiming 3rd place and the bronze medal in the Optimist U12 category. In the highly competitive U15 category, Oman secured two finishes inside the top 10, with Khalid Yahya Al Suraihi placing 8th and Mohammed Zeyad Al Qasmi finishing 10th.In addition to the team’s strong results, Elyas Maher Al Khodhori received the Best Sportsmanship Award at the championship, in recognition of his respect for competitors, teamwork, willingness to help others, and commitment to fair play.Oman Sail official Nawaf Al Ghadani also contributed to the event's success, having been appointed by the committee to serve as a Race Officer for the Optimist Team Racing competition.Reflecting on the team's achievements, Sultan Abdulaziz Al Zadjali, Assistant Head Coach Youth, said, “I am extremely proud of the determination and skill our young sailors demonstrated in Jeddah. Securing second place in the Team Race and earning podium and top 10 positions in individual categories against the finest youth sailors in the region is a testament to their hard work and preparation. This experience will serve as a strong building block as they continue to mature and excel on the international stage.”Podium finisher Mohammed Sulaiman Al Balushi added, "Representing Oman and standing on the podium at the Arab Sailing Championship is an unforgettable feeling. The racing was intense, but our training paid off. I want to thank our coaches and my teammates for all their support, and I’m excited to build on this success in our upcoming regattas."Organised by the Saudi Sailing Federation under the authority of the Arab Sailing Federation, the event served as a vital regional platform for high-level competition and technical collaboration.Following their successful campaign in Saudi Arabia, the team now turns its attention home to prepare for the landmark 15th Edition of Mussanah Race Week, scheduled for 15–22 October 2026, where they will once again line up against top international competition.Oman Sail’s commitment to developing youth through sport extends beyond competitive sailing to providing opportunities for life-long learning and leadership. By empowering young Omanis to represent the country regionally and internationally, Oman Sail continues to contribute directly to the strategic vision of Oman Vision 2040.