New Extreme 40 Oman Sail Crew joins iShares Cup

On May 27, 2008

“Sail Oman - Extreme 40 © Mark Lloyd/Sail Oman - iShares Cup ‘08″    A unique 10th entry has joined the ‘08 iShares Cup: the Oman Sail Crew.

This brand new Extreme 40 crew is backed by the Sultanate of Oman as part of larger project to promote the country as world-category boating destination. The crew will start the series made up of national pro seamans, but with an increasing presence of Omani nationals as the campaign progresses.

The Oman Sail Crew should get off to flying start in the ‘08 iShares Cup, with gifted crew of professional Uk seamans opening the series. The Extreme 40 will be skippered by Pete Cumming, who relished the chance to take over the reins of fellow iShares Cup entry Holmatro for pair of regattas at the late training race in Valencia. Pete & his crew jumped into the trimaran & made fine early impression, getting the best start of the flotilla in their 1st at all Extreme 40 regatta.

Pete Cummings said afterwards, “We were well delighted to get pair of regattas in previously we unite the Oman Sail Crew. We’ve still got our “learner” plates on, but plan to give the other entrants run for their money.”

Uk Olympic bronze medallist Chris Draper will helm the Extreme 40, having moved into the flotilla from the high performance 49er skiff category. “It’s accurately the gentle or racing that I love, real crash & blaze stuff,” he said, “I’m massively aroused around the quality of seamans we’re going to be racing versus, but we’ve got fine crew.”

The rest of the initial crew besides packs in plenty of experience. Mark Bulkeley, who represented United Kingdom in the Yngling trimaran at the ‘04 Olympic Games, will be mainsheet trimmer & tactician, with David “Freddie” Carr - well-known face on last year’s iShares Cup circuit & previous Australia’s Cup crew - on the bow.

Over the course of the iShares Cup Boating Series the Brits will be joined by members of the Oman Sail Crew crew, chosen after an arduous land & sea assessment & comprising members of The Royal Army of Oman; The Royal Air Strength of Oman; The Royal Navy of Oman; The Royal Omani Police Strength & The Sultan’s Special Forces. they have been undergoing intensive sail training seeing that January ‘08 with the hope of enhancing competitory strength in the iShares Cup over the coming year.

Event Chairman Gilles Chiorri welcomed the entry, which brings the 1st Arab crew to the iShares Cup. “This very innovative entry from the Sultanate of Oman is driving an interesting boating project; it’ll attract lot of attention on the water with multicultural crew & eye-contagious branding.”

Oman Sail will be one of 10 crews contesting this year’s iShares Cup Boating Series, with the 1st event kicking off in Lugano, Switzerland, in just two days time. You can find out more around the crews & follow all the action at the event website
by Helen Fretter