Final leg of SATT 2014

The EFG Sailing Arabia The Tour 2014 finished with an international prize giving ceremony. Affixed to the second story of The Wave, (the base for Oman Sail and the ceremony location) were the national flags of all the teams skippers. I was moved to see the red, white and blue up there- fluttering in the breeze among the other countries’ flags representing our US contribution to this sporting endeavor that is opening minds and opportunities across a wide region. And I was again conscious of how grateful I am to have been born in a country that has provided me the opportunity to acquire skill sets that equipped me to come here and contribute in this important adventure in Oman. The Omani women from past year SATT races who have been on our team also showed up to celebrate with us – a testimony to the multi-national camaraderie that has been forged amongst us on and off the water. Raya and Raaja both were there – now more determined than ever to rejoin the keelboat team and keep racing! They will join Ibtisam to race in France on the J80 with Mary Rook in April.

2014 Omani Women’s Sailing Team and SATT 2014 results

SATT 2014 Award Ceremony

After the ceremony, we headed back to the hotel for a quick shower and then to Muscat’s Opera House to have dinner at a fabulous Indian restaurant – The Indus. The winning teams of EFG Bank and Team Delft were also present as we mingled with the sponsor and their VIP guests. I was grateful that this gave me a chance to thank the sponsor personally for providing us this life changing opportunity. While the other Omani girls headed home, Ibtisam was able to join us, She also thanked the sponsor, telling him how much fun the race was and what it meant for her to be able to compete. We all loved having a relaxing evening, with no pending early morning start(!), It gave us time with the other teams to laugh over our shared experiences throughout this year’s SATT

Going Forward: The Omani Women’s Team plans to compete in several keelboat events in Europe, starting on J80s (small but responsive sailboats with asymmetrical spinnakers) and to begin match racing. They are excited and motivated. I do hope that these young women, new in their confidence to sport, sailing and their own developing skills, continue to race on this Tour. They learn quickly and are athletic. Additionally, life at sea (the eating and using the bathroom) did not worry them a bit – which is no small issue. They all said it was an adventure they will never forget and were thankful for the opportunity to learn and compete. I still am in contact with most of the girls we have trained and coached over the past three years, and will always be connected even though vast oceans separate us. This is the beauty of sport.

Celebrating at the end of SATT 2014!

My plan is to head back to California and dive into California state politics with my job at the Civil Justice Association of California (2000+bills to read! As if California needs 2000 new laws)… Also racing the Formula 40 catamaran Shadow in San Francisco, riding motorcycles, and a couple of flying lessons are on the schedule in the next month.

Thank you for following this adventure, and I look forward to sharing the next!
-Katie Pettibone