The day has arrived to finally leave this slice of heaven – Six Senses at Zighy Bay – where we have been resting for a day after the challenging 104-nautical mile leg 5 from Ras Al Khaimah to Dibba. This amazing resort has sponsored the all-women’s team, and we have been absolutely blessed with staying at their villas, and of fantastic hospitality. The resort is ecologically friendly, focuses on sustainability and simply is a “must” if you are in the region. All of us wish we had another day here, and were joking we should sabotage the race committee boat so we would have to stay!
Six Senses Resort – Zighy Bay
The weather forecast has been for light wind, and we were generally intending to motor for awhile till the wind fills in. However, today’s forecast by Predict Wind looks more promising, so perhaps we will get sailing sooner than previously anticipated. The game is on with Delft Challenge, as currently only .25 separates us in 3rd and 4th position. Normally we would plan on match racing them, but on Leg 6 – 140 miles from Dibba to Musannah – combined with the fact that they have a couple of points of sail that we simply cannot match, we have to use that strategy plus one to simply win. Their maneuvers are tighter than ours as well, so if we get into a gybe/tack-off – it won’t go well for us.
Yesterday we turned the boat over to the Omani women to race, and were onboard simply to coach. Epti drove, Huda trimmed, Khuloud took the bow, and Raham the mast. It was very light wind, so we only got one race in. They did a great job though, and we found that they definitely have been learning and picking up more than we thought. I believe that they defer to us as the experts, so previously it was hard to know where they exactly were in their development. It is very encouraging and I was pleased to see how far they have come. They also came from behind to beat their brother team, Rennaissance, so they were very excited. Later they put the boat away as well – folding sails, putting flags up, etc. It was really cool to see.
Only two legs left. Whatever happens I am extremely happy with what the team has achieved and am looking forward to the last two legs of SATT!
Eptisom – Inport Racing
Folding Sails after Inport Racing
Sailing Arabia The Tour (SATT) – a 760-nautical mile course that spans over four countries from Bahrain to Muscat, Oman, with eight of the region’s premier marinas playing host as stopover venues during the seven legs of the course.
