Pearl-Qatar to host in-port races of EFG Sailing Arabia Tour

Porto Arabia Marina at The Pearl - Qatar will host the second set of in port races of the EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2017 on February 25, organisers of the event announced.
The two-week exhilarating race challenge will kick off on February 14 in Muscat, Oman and will reach Doha shores on February 24 before a thrilling in-port race at The Pearl on the following day.
Now in its seventh year, The Tour has become one of the most respected and dynamic sailing regattas on the international circuit.
Five offshore legs, starting in Oman’s capital Muscat and finishing 763 miles later in Dubai, combined with three in-port showdowns in Oman, Doha and Dubai is likely to make Arabia’s leading offshore race one of the most competitive yet, confirming its status as the most highly regarded sailing event in the region and a recognised tourism platform for showcasing the Gulf and its maritime heritage.
The fleet of identical Farr 30s will start their anti-clockwise campaigns at Al Mouj in Muscat where they can open their accounts by scoring points in the first in port race. From there they head north on the first leg to Sohar, a relatively short sprint of 105 nautical miles.
The second leg takes them to Khasab, the capital of the Musandam Peninsula which made its debut on the Tour last year before the fleet heads to Abu Dhabi in a 153 nms leg. It will be back to sea for a 160 nms dash to Doha in Qatar where more points will be up for grabs in the second round of in port races before the last and longest leg (205nms) to Dubai, which will count for double points.
 The final leg culminating the exciting race, will leave Qatar for UAE shores on February 26.
EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour is the only annual race of its type, with a mix of long offshore legs and intense in port racing, in the world and since it was first established in 2011, has become the most prestigious race in the Middle East with a reach and appeal that extends with each edition, among both recreational and professional sailors.
The teams race in identical Farr 30 boats and are in competition for around two weeks, completing more than 700 racing miles and stopping off at five different ports, which showcase the Gulf region to new sailors and to fans who follow the action online or via television images around the world.
Launched by Oman Sail in 2011, EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour was designed to reignite the Gulf region’s maritime heritage by celebrating the fast-growing sport of sailing and the opportunities that it represents. The regatta is also an opportunity to showcase the beautiful region as the ideal winter sailing destination and present its offerings as an international stage for high-calibre sailing events.
In its short history, EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour has gained global recognition, attracting top amateur and professional sailors from four continents.