The Laser World Championships 2013 Press Kit
About the Laser World Championships 2013 The Sultanate of Oman is proud and delighted to be hosting the 39th edition of the Laser World Championships. It is one of the largest dinghy sailing sporting events and the first sailing world championships ever held in the country with 379 of the world‟s best sailors from 51 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, North, South and Central America contesting for the highest honours. Organised by Oman Sail and the Omani Ministry of Sports Affairs, the Laser World Championships 2013 are being contested in three separate consecutive events for the Laser Standard Men‟s, Laser Masters and Laser Radial Youth classes over a seven week period from 14th November through to 3rd January 2014 at the Sultanate‟s world class sailing venue Mussanah Sports City. Olympic, world and national champions and the cream of Oman‟s young sailing talent feature strongly in the star studded fleets. In the fiercely contested Laser Standard Men‟s class alone the star studded line-up includes 46 of the top 50 ISAF ranked Laser Standard Men‟s sailors in the world including Olympic, world and national champions. The Laser Standard will be contested by a fleet of 127 contestants from 48 countries. The Laser Masters World Championships will be contested by a record fleet of 187 contestants from 34 countries and the Laser Youth Radial World Championships by 59 competitors from 25 countries.
Oman welcomes a total of 1,000 visitors among them race officials, coaches, international media and family members accompanying the competitors.
The Sultanate is proud that after two years of specialist training all three championships are being run by a world class race committee dominated by Omanis. The race management team comprises about 30 Omanis led by International Laser Class principal race officer Jeff Martin together with Omani race officers Abdul Aziz Al Shidi and Said Al Araimi running the racing in Arabic.
The high profile race jury includes Omani sailing icons Salah Al Jabri, skipper of the Jewel of Muscat and Mohsin Al Busaidi, the first Arab to sail non-stop around the world, alongside some of the world‟s best judges with experience in the Laser class. Chairman of the jury will be Doug Elder of New Zealand.
The Laser Classes – the world‟s most popular dinghy The Laser is a 4.2 metre singlehanded Olympic class dinghy that is also sailed at club, national and international levels. Considered a challenging boat that rewards athleticism, subtle steering and trimming techniques and tactical excellence it is the world‟s most popular adult and youth racing sailboat with more than 250 000 boats in 140 countries.
One of the reasons for the popularity of the Laser is its sheer simplicity. The two-part free-standing mast and sleeved sail make the boat easy to rig and its lightweight hull makes it easy to carry. It is also protected by one-design class rules, which means that no changes are allowed to the boat unless they are specifically permitted in the rules. In theory all Laser boats are the same making it the sailor that wins the race, not the boat.
The Laser formula combines one hull with three different rigs: the Standard, Radial and 4.7. Competitors in the Laser Standard Men‟s Worlds will be racing with Standard rigs while the Masters fleet will consist of multiple rigs including the Standard, Radial and 4.7. The Laser Radial Youth Championships will be racing with only Radial rig in boys and girls fleets.
The Laser Standard can be sailed by any weight in light winds, but as the wind increases it is better suited to higher sailor weights. The Laser Radial has a more flexible, slightly shorter mast with a sail area 18% smaller than the Laser Standard.
Most of the world's best sailors have at some point in their careers campaigned a Laser, most notably multiple Olympic medallists Ben Ainslie and Robert Scheidt and winning America's Cup helmsman Ed Baird.
All-star line-up for Laser Standard Men‟s World Championships A star studded international fleet will be on the start line for the Laser Standard Men‟s World Championships 2013 with forty six of the top fifty ISAF ranked Standard Laser Men‟s sailors gunning for gold among the 126 entries received from Olympic, world and national champions from 48 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, North, South and Central America.
As of the latest rankings from 21 October Australian national champion Tom Burton is world number one going in to this first ever sailing world championship to be held in the Sultanate of Oman having won the gold at this year‟s ISAF Sailing World Cup in Hyeres, France and silver at the ISAF Sailing World Cup Palma in Majorca, Spain. Number two in the world is Croatian Tonci Stipanović who shot up the rankings from 14th to 2nd after winning the ISAF Sailing World Cup Qingdao in China earlier this month. Stipanovic also won gold at the Mediterranean Games in Turkey in June and the Split Olympic Sailing Week in Croatia in March. He was third in Hyeres and 4th in Palma.
Bruno Fontes of Brazil also jumped the rankings from 9th to 3rd after winning the Central & South American Laser Championships Higuerillas in Chile in September. Fontes finished 5th at the ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami and also in Palma. He was 6th in Hyeres. Sweden‟s Jesper Stalheim winner of the recent ISAF Sailing World Cup Test Event in Santander, the ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami and the Laser Europa Cup – Sweden is ranked 4th. Australian Ryan Palk is 5th and with another three team mates in the top 15, the strong Australian team of eight is sure to capture a large share of the limelight.
Perhaps best poised to stage a leaderboard coup of the four French entries is Olympic sailor Jeanbaptiste Bernaz ranked at number six in the world. Bernaz who represented France at the Beijing and London Olympics where he placed an impressive 10th overall last year has finished in the top 10 of most events he has competed in this year.
Of Britain‟s top eight headed for Oman, Alex Mills Barton at number 12 in the world is tipped to be up there with the best. But fiercely competitive performances can also be expected from fellow countrymen Nick Thompson ranked 17. Germany‟s 23 year old sailor of the year Phillip Buhl, a four times winner of the International German Youth Championship Award and winner of the 2012 European Laser Champion is ranked 20 in the world and the stand out performer of Germany‟s four man team.
Honoured to represent their country at the first ever sailing world championship to be held in Oman is the Sultanate‟s only world ranked Laser sailor Hussain Al Jabri and fellow Omani team mates Ahmed Al Hassani and Ahmed Al Balushi who will take pride of place in home waters.
Al Jabri, who ranks 396 in the world, Al Hassani and Al Balushi, are among the stand out performers of the innovative Oman Sail “pathway to excellence” sail training and coaching programme that has helped fast track talented newcomers to the sport. Al Jabri, 25, who only learnt to sail in 2011 when he joined Oman Sail, was voted this year‟s winner of Oman‟s first ever Sailor of the Year Awards presented by Renaissance Services. He made the ISAF world rankings in February this year after winning the Sail the Gulf - Qatar International Regatta in Doha.
A World Class Sailing Venue - Al Mussanah Sports City Al-Mussanah Sports City is an unrivalled sailing venue on the Sea of Oman featuring a world class marina and four star Millennium Resort Mussanah with restaurants, recreational facilities and accommodation for all competitors, race officials and international media in an extensive selfcontained resort just 100 km up the coast from Muscat and 45 minutes from Oman‟s international airport. Purpose built to Olympic standards in 2010 to host the 2nd Asian Games the marina offers some of the best sailing conditions and state-of-the-art facilities for hosting local, regional, international and now, its first world championship.
Consistently good weather is the norm with steady winds averaging around 14 knots, an average minimum temperature of 20 degree C temperatures, maximum of 26 degrees, warm 20 degree C water and 11 hours of sunlight every day.
Situated immediately in front of the Millennium Resort Mussanah, the marina offers top class infrastructure and docking for 400 boats, launching and landing zones and ample storage space for competitors, coaches and equipment providers.
The marina offices are fully equipped with hosting facilities, including event management offices, jury and technical rooms, officials and press lounges while the Media Centre has special conference facilities, studios and full internet services. A fully equipped gym, beach football and volleyball pitches and other recreational facilities are available in the competitorâ€&#x;s village.
Mussanah Sports City is a perfect all year round sailing and watersports venue and popular waterfront destination for cruise yachts. The Oman Sail Yacht Charter, PADI certified Dive Centre, Mussanah Sailing School and a range of watersports activities also operate out of the marina. Cruising to nearby islands and coastal landmarks is popular especially as some of the best dive sites in Oman are just an hour away. For the thrill seekers there is banana boating, ringo rides, paddle board, knee board and powerboat joy rides. There are kayaks for hire and fun times to enjoy on sailing boats. Mussanah Sports City has also become a popular training base for international teams preparing for the Olympics and other major events.
The Logo – unique to Oman A distinctive new logo has been designed for the Laser World Championships 2013 to brand the event in Oman. The new design is a development on the standard red Laser logo recognisable the world over, but features a deeper maroon to complement a colour commonly used in Omani handicrafts and stylised graphics of sails and Omani forts to symbolise the sport of sailing and the rich and ancient cultural heritage unique to Oman.
Valued Partners of the Laser World Championships 2013 Omantel, the pioneer provider of leading edge telecommunications services in the Sultanate of Oman, is the title sponsor of the Laser World Championships.
Venue partner Millennium Resort Mussanah, together with a specially appointed event committee, have ensured all preparations are of world standard at Mussanah Sports City. The four star hotel is known for its meticulous attention to detail, luxurious comfort and service and with its vivid blend of Arabian and Asian themes and panoramic views over the Gulf of Oman competitors and visitors to the Laser World Championships can be assured of a warm and welcoming stay.
The Millennium Resort Mussanah offers a wide range of accommodation with 304 full board rooms and self-catered apartments, all with panoramic views of the ocean or the impressive Jebel Akhdar mountain range. Facilities include complimentary WiFi, a range of restaurants, bar, coffee shops, boardrooms, sports and leisure facilities.
Oman Daily and Oman Observer are the official media partners.
Oman Sail – a pioneering national initiative Regarded throughout the sailing world as one of the most innovative sailing projects ever conceived, Oman Sail‟s core objective is to use the power of the sport of sailing as a vehicle to contribute to the development of Oman and Omanis.
Established in 2008 as a national initiative, Oman Sail is an equal opportunity project that runs sailing programmes for thousands of young Omani men and women, inspiring a new generation to discover sailing. It encompasses a national sailing squad and high achieving inshore and offshore racing teams, all of which benefit from world-class coaching and whose ultimate objective is to win an Olympic medal for Oman.
The programme has pledged to teach 70,000 Omani children to sail by 2020 at eight sailing schools, three of which are already operational. The goal is to rekindle Oman‟s maritime heritage while raising the country‟s regional and international profile as a high-end tourist and foreign
investment destination, through competitive sailing at home and abroad. Oman Sail seeks to instil confidence and to teach valuable, transferable life skills to a generation of Omanis.
Oman at a Glance Competitors and accompanying visitors to Oman will discover a hot and sunny winter paradise with luxurious desert, ocean and mountain outdoor excursions and cities where treasured maritime and ancient cultural heritage is complemented by state-of-the- art sophistication.
Situated on the south-east coast of the Arabian Peninsula, the Sultanate of Oman with its population of just over 3 million and capital city, Muscat, were declared „must-see‟ destinations by National Geographic and Lonely Planet in 2012. Muscat was also named Arabia‟s 2012 Tourism Capital for its unique blend of tradition and modernity. It is considered one of the most developed and stable countries in the Arab world under the rule of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.
Located on the Tropic of Cancer and defined by three seas - the Arabian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Sea, Oman is a country of vastly contrasting exquisite panoramas from arid desert and secret oases to 3 000 kilometres of dramatic coastline set off by the awe-inspiring Jebel Akhdar mountain range.
Its azure tropical waters are warm and clear, the winds light and steady and the sun shines all year round to offer some of the most perfect conditions in the world for yacht charter and scuba diving. Some of the best dive sites in Oman, include the UNESCO recognised Damaniyat Islands Marine Nature Reserve, just an hour‟s boat ride from Mussanah Sports City where the Laser World Championships will be held. Here and elsewhere an abundance of live coral, a rich and astonishing variety of marine life, turtles, dolphins, whales, sharks and mesmerising annual migrations of fish can be seen from beautiful anchorages in secluded island bays, sandy beaches and mangrove inlets with stunning rocky outcrops.
Not be missed in Muscat is the magnificent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, an exceptional example of Islamic architecture that houses an Islamic reference library of over 20,000 books; the famed
Mutrah Souq which is one of the oldest and most magical markets in Oman dating back over two hundred years and the Royal Opera House where rich and diverse artistic and cultural productions from Oman and beyond inspire audiences and cultural vitality.
Must do day trips should include: a dhow or charter yacht trip to Bandar Khayran where a series of tidal creeks and high-sided sandstone fjords is home to sea eagles, herons, sea-rays and turtles and perfect for swimming and snorkelling and a swim in the dramatic Wadi Shaab rock gullie where seasonal floodwaters have carved the unique 40 metre wide crystal clear Hawiyat Najim sinkhole that links to the sea via an underwater tunnel.
The Jebel Akdhar and Nizwa Hoota Cave can be found at one of the oldest cities in Oman at the base of the Western Hajar Mountains. It is also one of the most important souqs in Oman bustling with vendors selling everything from meat, fish, fruits and vegetables to spices, dates, gold and silverware. A four wheel drive trip to the 2 980 plateau near the summit of the Jebel Akdharrises mountain is a famous viewpoint.
The Wahiba Sands offer the most beautiful desert camping areas in the Sultanate with a mesmerising “sea� of ever changing shapes, light and moods extending over an area of up to about 10 thousand square kilometres.
Oman Sail Watersports offers sailing and scuba diving courses, yacht charter and a range of fun and exciting water sports activities as the greatest way to explore, discover and truly experience the wonders of magnificent Oman.
The Oman Sail Dive Centre is based in the marina of Mussanah Sports City and run by a team of highly experienced dive professionals certified by the internationally recognised Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI).
Oman Sail Yacht charter offers a fresh perspective from the usual tourist trail for exploring Oman. As the premier charter company in Oman and the only company to offer bareboat as well as skippered charters, Oman Sail Yacht Charter is renowned for delivering a personalised and professional service with an extensive range of bespoke sailing trips, day and overnight cruises.
Oman‟s Jebel Akhdar mountain range is the back drop for safe anchorages in sheltered coastal or island bays. Ashore the Omani welcome is genuine and the local culture charming at the many historic yet contemporary marinas and ports where you can shop in a supermarket or a souk. At sea the rich and diverse marine and bird life will constantly amaze.
A variety of special sea and land packages are available to the Laser World Championships competitors, family and friends including sunset cruises, dive and snorkel trips, water sports activities and visits to some of the most famous cultural and renowned landmarks in Oman It is a country that will delight all the senses and visitors will be hard pressed to enjoy all that Oman has to offer
The Schedules – Where, What and When The Laser World Championships in Oman will feature three separate events contested consecutively at Mussanah Sports City about 100 km north of Muscat:
The Laser Senior Men‟s World Championship from 14th November - 23rd November 2013
The Laser Masters' World Championship 2013 from 28th Nomvember - 7th December 2013
The Laser Radial Youth World Championship 2013 from 27th December 2013 - 3rd January 2014
Laser Standard Men‟s Championship Program 7th – 13th November 2013 - Pre-Charter Period Charter Lasers and coach boats will be made available for competitors‟ training 9.00 – 18.00
Race Office open
14th November 2013 - Registration & Charter Boat allocation
9.00 – 18.00
Race Office open
15th November 2013 - Registration & Measurement 9.00 – 18.00
Race Office open
16th November 2013 – Registration & Measurement
9.00 – 18.00
Race Office open
14.00
Warning signal for practice race
18.00
Opening Ceremony
17th November 2013 – Qualification Series 8.00 – 20.00
Race Office open
11.00
1st warning signal
18th November 2013 – Qualification Series 8.00 – 20.00
Race Office open
11.00
1st warning signal
19th November 2013 – Qualification Series 8.00 – 20.00
Race Office open
11.00
1st warning signal
20th November 2013 – Qualification Series 8.00 – 20.00
Race Office open
11.00
1st warning signal
19.00
Arabic Night Party
21st November 2013 – Finals Series 8.00 – 20.00
Race Office open
11.00
1st warning signal
22nd November 2013 – Finals Series 8.00 – 20.00
Race Office open
11.00
1st warning signal
23rd November 2013 – Finals Series 8.00 – 20.00
Race Office open
11.00
1st warning signal
18.00
Prize giving & Closing Ceremony
Laser Masters Championship Program 25th – 27th November 2013 - Pre-Charter Period Up-to 40 charter Lasers will be made available for competitors‟ training 9.00 – 18.00
Race Office open
28th November 2013 - Registration & Charter Boat allocation 9.00 – 18.00
Race Office open
29th November 2013 - Registration & Measurement 9.00 – 18.00
Race Office open
30th November 2013 – Registration & Measurement 9.00 – 18.00
Race Office open
14.00
Warning signal for practice race
18.00
Opening Ceremony/ Arabic Night Party
1st December 2013 – Qualification Series 8.00 – 20.00
Race Office open
11.00
1st warning signal
2nd December 2013 – Qualification Series 8.00 – 20.00
Race Office open
11.00
1st warning signal
3rd December 2013 – Qualification Series 8.00 – 20.00
Race Office open
11.00
1st warning signal
19.00
Mid-Week Party
4th December 2013 – Rest Day 10.00 – 16.00
Race Office open
No Sailing 5th December 2013 – Qualification Series 8.00 – 20.00
Race Office open
11.00
1st warning signal
6th December 2013 – Qualification Series/ Finals Series 8.00 – 20.00
Race Office open
11.00
1st warning signal
7th December 2013 – Qualification Series/ Finals Series 8.00 – 20.00
Race Office open
11.00
1st warning signal
18.00
Prize Giving/ Closing Ceremony
Laser Youth Championship Program 20th – 26th December 2013 - Pre-Charter Period Charter Lasers and coach boats will be made available for competitor‟s training 9.00 – 18.00
Race Office opens
27th December 2013 – Registration, Measurement & Charter Boat allocation 9.00 – 18.00
Race Office open
28th December 2013 - Registration & Measurement 9.00 – 18.00
Race Office open
14.00
Warning signal for practice race
18.00
Opening Ceremony/ Arabic Night Party
29th December 2013 – Qualification Series 8.00 – 20.00
Race Office open
8.30 – 10.00
Coaching Session
11.00
1st warning signal
16.30 – 18.00
Coaching Session
30th December 2013 – Qualification Series 8.00 – 20.00
Race Office open
8.30 – 10.00
Coaching Session
11.00
1st warning signal
16.30 – 18.00
Coaching Session
31st December 2013 – Qualification Series 8.00 – 20.00
Race Office open
11.00
1st warning signal
19.00
New Year‟s Eve Party
1st January 2014 – Qualification Series 8.00 – 20.00
Race Office open
11.00
1st warning signal
2nd January 2014 – Finals Series 8.00 – 20.00
Race Office open
11.00
1st warning signal
3rd January 2014 – Finals Series 8.00 – 20.00
Race Office open
11.00
1st warning signal
18.00
Prize Giving and Closing Ceremony
Media Contacts: Donatella Donatelli | PR Manager E: donatella@omansail.com M: +968 970 84857 Mohammed al Eissa | Regional PR Manager E: mohd.ae@omansail.com M: +968 96 33 05 71 Daphne Morgan Barnicoat | Global PR Manager: E: daphne.morganbarnicoat@omansail.com: +33 (0)6 33 02 61 63 | +968 970 84836