Exciting Leg – Abu Dhabi crew airlifted after running aground!
Dubai-based Team AISM has claimed the second leg of the EFG Bank Sailing Arabia The Tour, following 18 hours of maximum exhilaration for the nine international and regional crews competing between Doha and Abu Dhabi.
At 159 miles, this leg from the Qatari capital, Doha, was the longest of SATT, the region’s only long distance offshore race. It was sailed in 20 knot northerlies, and for the crews competing aboard their one design 30ft yachts, it proved to be drama-laden with their boats pushed to the limit, resulting in numerous broaches in the brisk conditions, and an incident for the Abu Dhabi team who were airlifted after running aground! (read more)
Yet for the leaders that arrived into Abu Dhabi in swift succession just before dawn this morning it was smiles all round.
At the front of the fleet a cut-throat competition was going on between the three world-class heavyweights – the Bertrand Pacé-steered and Dubai-based AISM, SidneyGavignet’s team on EFG Bank (Monaco) and Cédric Pouligny on team BAE Systems. Gavignet’s team lost the lead when their yacht suffered problems with their electronics to be overtaken by Tuesday’s triple in-port race winner, AISM. Into Abu Dhabi Team AISM continued her winning streak, with Team BAE Systems second and EFG Bank (Monaco) dropping to third.
Al Thuraya Bank Muscat Team again claimed a respectable seventh out of the nine crews.
Go girls!
Sailing Arabia The Tour:
February 10-25 – 15 days, 4 countries, 8 ports of call and 760 nautical miles
…and we’re again making history, as SATT’s first and only Women’s Sailing Team!
Photos by Lloyd Images
