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FOURSOME
hey have to traverse the Arabian Peninsula, sail 1064 kilometres in 14 days in a Farr30 racing yacht, and visit seven major marinas before hitting the final destination in MuscatIt would have been a pleasure trip had it not been the grueling Sailing Arabia The Tour (SATT). The eight members on board have to spend nights on knife-edge, surfing the waves and controlling the huge sails. They have to act like expert commandos who will have to be climb across a fast moving, always tilting, always lurching platform. Concentration will be the key, as even a minor lapse will hamper their chances of a podium finish. And the four Omani women sailors - Tahira Al Yahyaee, Khulood Al Kindi, Raiya Al Habsi and Intisar Al Tubi - are all set to hog the limelight when Al Thuraya Bank Muscat yacht sets off from Manama on February 9. It is going to be tough test for the fearless foursome as they are sailing along with some of the best women in the world, led by Dee Caffari. But are the girls ready? Yes, we are! they chorus. Life has undergone a sea change for them ever since they joined Oman Sails Womens Sailing Programme in September 2011. They hit the gym regularly, toned their muscles and improved their strength and stamina. They sharpened their body and mind and developed steely nerves. Now, they are ready for the ultimate test of endurance. Even team skipper Dee Caffari, the only woman in the world to have sailed non-stop around the world in both the directions, has no doubt about their abilities. The girls have been working really hard. They want to imbibe all the information. I think we have got a winning team. It is a big compliment for them who share a passion for adventure sports and want to do something different in their lives. I like adventure sports and wanted to show the world that women can excel in grueling sports like sailing, says Intisar Al Tubi. The others too echoed her views. I love challenges in my life. So I glued myself to sailing which is one of the top adventure sport in the world, says Raiya Al Habsi. Khulood Al Kindi got a first taste of sailing while working as a volunteer for the Extreme40 event. I had a passion for sailing, but I did not get an av-

Well end up on top

Intisar Al Tubi (22) Bachelor of Physical Education We begin our training at 10 am at the gym where we spend two hours. Then, we embark on the Farr30 boat for training from 1 pm to 5 pm. We have also done many overnight sailing sessions. My fitness level has improved by leaps and bounds, thanks to the closely-monitored workout schedule and the strict diet plan. I feel very confident now.

They can do it!

Captain Dee Caffari
The Omani girls in my team have really impressed me. They have been full of enthusiasm and very keen to learn new skills to enable them to do a great job in the SATT event. They have come a very long way in a short space of time and we must remember they had never participated in an off-shore competition. They also have a much better understanding about nutrition, gym training and technical aspects of sailing and are stronger, physically and mentally. I believe, they can achieve great things in future. Sailing is about gaining experience. The more boats you sail and the more experience you gain the better understanding you will develop about the sport. Ability increases with exposure. So, over a period of time, they will all progress and some will naturally emerge faster than others. During the training sessions, we have worked on skills of sailing upwind and downwind, turning corners and also had races against boys teams to check our own speed in sailing. We have done three sessions of offshore sailing, including an overnight sail, to give the girls a first-hand experience. The competition for the SATT race will be fierce. And I want the girls to enjoy the experience so that we can do it again next year, as we encourage more Omani girls to join us.

Clockwise: Intisar Al Tubi, Khulood Al Kindi , Tahira Al Yahyaee and Raiya Al Habsi. Opposite page: Al Thuraya BankMuscat team trains hard for SATT Pix: Oman Sail

With a common passion for sailing and a drive to deliver against all odds, the Al ThurayaBank Muscat all women crew is all set to enter the record books in the upcoming Sailing Arabia The Tour (SATT). T. A. Ameerudheen meets Intisar Al Tubi, Khulood Al Kindi, Tahira Al Yahyaee and Raiya Al Habsi, Omans lucky sailor girls

enue to learn the tricks of the trade. I made up my mind to become a sailor after I saw the Extreme 40 event as a volunteer. When Oman Sail announced the Womens Sailing Programme I did not have any second thoughts to enroll in it. As a girl who loves adventure, sailing became an automatic choice for Tahira Al Yahyaee. Sailing is a sport where you can test your skills and stamina, she says. And they all thanked Oman Sail for giving them a big opportunity to figure in a renowned race. It all began with its decision to launch the programme in September 2011. Out of 100 applicants, 75 turned up for the open sessions held at Marina Bandar Al Rowdha and Al Musannah. After a three-week session, we picked 30 girls for a six-month training to make them sailing instructors. Then we decided to select four girls to be part of the Al Thuraya Bank Muscat all-women crew in SATT, Shatta Al-Zadjali, Manager, Womens Sailing Programme, said. The families of these girls stood firmly behind them, though they were apprehensive about their safety in the beginning. When I told about my intention to join the programme, my parents were worried as they thought sailing was not a profession meant for girls. But when they saw the facilities, they were fully convinced. Now they are behind me and support me 100 per cent. It has become a matter of pride for them as I am going to represent my country in a prestigious race, says Raiya Al Habsi. From the beginning, they knew it wont be an easy task as they have to rub shoulders with the whos who of the sailing world. As beginners, we found it very hard to train with the experienced Dee Caffari and other trainers. But they encouraged us to do more and taught us the intricacies of off-shore sailing. They helped us in gym workouts and told us to follow a strict diet plan, says Intisar. And how was the feeling inside the camp? We are not just team-mates, we are like sisters. We are members of a family. We know each other very well and are ready to take responsibilities, says Khulood. The race is yet to begin, but they all are hoping for a podium finish when the boats begin to arrive at The Wave Muscat as they feel they have the power and techniques to sail past the experienced men to etch their names in the annals of Omans sailing history.

Raiya Al Habsi (21) Bachelor of Business Administration I felt happy when Oman Sail selected me into the Al Thuraya Bank Muscat team for SATT. I was dreaming about it ever since I enrolled in the Womens Sailing Programme. Now the challenge is to finish on top of the podium.

Khulood Al Kindi (20) Diploma in Tour Guiding It was an unforgettable experience to train with a renowned sailor like Dee Caffari. It helped me improve my physical fitness, leadership skills and language skills. The all-women crew of Al Thuraya Bank Muscat will be on top of the heap when the boats dock in Muscat after 14 days of the race.

Tahira Al Yayaee (20) Diploma in Operation Technology Women have the power to match men in all walks of life. But you have to give your 100 per cent to achieve your target. The training taught me to understand different kinds of winds.

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FEARLESS
FOURSOME
We begin our training at 10 am at the gym where we spend two hours. Then, we embark on the Farr30 boat for training from 1 pm to 5 pm. We have also done many overnight sailing sessions. My fitness level has improved by leaps and bounds, thanks to the closelymonitored workout schedule and the strict diet plan. I feel very confident now. I ntIsar a l t ubI (22) Bachelor of Physical Education It was an unforgettable experience to train with a renowned sailor like Dee Caffari. It helped me improve my physical fitness, leadership skills and language skills. The all-women crew of Al Thuraya Bank Muscat will be on top of the heap when the boats dock in Muscat after 14 days of the race.. K Hulood a l K IndI (20) Diploma in Tour Guiding
hey have to traverse the Arabian Peninsula, sail 1064 kilometres in 14 days in a Farr30 racing yacht, and visit seven major marinas before hitting the final destination in MuscatIt would have been a pleasure trip had it not been the grueling Sailing Arabia The Tour (SATT). The eight members on board have to spend nights on knife-edge, surfing the waves and controlling the huge sails. They have to act like expert commandos who will have to be climb across a fast moving, always tilting, always lurching platform. Concentration will be the key, as even a minor lapse will hamper their chances of a podium finish. And the four Omani women sailors - Tahira Al Yahyaee, Khulood Al Kindi, Raiya Al Habsi and Intisar Al Tubi - are all set to hog the limelight when Al Thuraya Bank Muscat yacht sets off from Manama on February 9. It is going to be tough test for the fearless foursome as they are sailing along with some of the best women in the world, led by Dee Caffari. But are the girls ready? Yes, we are! they chorus. Life has undergone a sea change for them ever since they joined Oman Sails Womens Sailing Programme in September 2011. They hit the gym regularly, toned their muscles and improved their strength and stamina. They sharpened their body and mind and developed steely nerves. Now, they are ready for the ultimate test of endurance. Even team skipper Dee Caffari, the only woman in the world to have sailed non-stop around the world in both the directions, has no doubt about their abilities. The girls have been working really hard. They want to imbibe all the information. I think we have got a winning team. It is a big compliment for them who share a passion for adventure sports and want to do something different in their lives. I like adventure sports and wanted to show the world that women can excel in grueling sports like sailing, says Intisar Al Tubi. The others too echoed her views. I love challenges in my life. So I glued myself to sailing which is one of the top adventure sport in the world, says Raiya Al Habsi. Khulood Al Kindi got a first taste of sailing while working as a volunteer for the Extreme40 event. I had a passion for sailing, but I did not get an av-

Well end up on top

Shatha Al-Zadjali Manager, Womens Sailing Programme, OmanSail From December, four Omani girls have been training with the international crew. It is a confluence of different cultures. This event will be remembered as a giant step towards promoting women sailing in GCC countries. The international sailors are happy with the improvement of the Omani girls and they told me that all the four girls are very good at night sailing.

They can do it!

Captain Dee Caffari
The Omani girls in my team have really impressed me. They have been full of enthusiasm and very keen to learn new skills to enable them to do a great job in the SATT event. They have come a very long way in a short space of time and we must remember they had never participated in an off-shore competition. They also have a much better understanding about nutrition, gym training and technical aspects of sailing and are stronger, physically and mentally. I believe, they can achieve great things in future. Sailing is about gaining experience. The more boats you sail and the more experience you gain the better understanding you will develop about the sport. Ability increases with exposure. So, over a period of time, they will all progress and some will naturally emerge faster than others. During the training sessions, we have worked on skills of sailing upwind and downwind, turning corners and also had races against boys teams to check our own speed in sailing. We have done three sessions of off-shore sailing, including an overnight sail, to give the girls a first-hand experience. The competition for the SATT race will be fierce. And I want the girls to enjoy the experience so that we can do it again next year, as we encourage more Omani girls to join us.

I felt happy when Oman Sail selected me into the Al Thuraya Bank Muscat team for SATT. I was dreaming about it ever since I enrolled in the Womens Sailing Programme. Now the challenge is to finish on top of the podium. r aIya a l H absI (21) Bachelor of Business Administration

Women have the power to match men in all walks of life. But you have to give your 100 per cent to achieve your target. The training taught me to understand different kinds of winds.. taHIra a l yayaee (20) Diploma in Operation Technology

With a common passion for sailing and a drive to deliver against all odds, the Al ThurayaBank Muscat all women crew are all set to enter the record books in the upcoming Sailing Arabia The Tour (SATT). T. A. Ameerudheen meets Tahira Al Yahyaee, Khulood Al Kindi, Raiya Al Habsi and Intisar Al Tubi, Omans lucky sailor girls

enue to learn the tricks of the trade. I made up my mind to become a sailor after I saw the Extreme 40 event as a volunteer. When Oman Sail announced the Womens Sailing Programme I did not have any second thoughts to enroll in it. As a girl who loves adventure, sailing became an automatic choice for Tahira Al Yahyaee. Sailing is a sport where you can test your skills and stamina, she says. And they all thanked Oman Sail for giving them a big opportunity to figure in a renowned race. It all began with its decision to launch the programme in September 2011. Out of 100 applicants, 75 turned up for the open sessions held at Marina Bandar Al Rowdha and Al Musannah. After a three-week session, we picked 30 girls for a six-month training to make them sailing instructors. Then we decided to select four girls to be part of the Al Thuraya Bank Muscat all-women crew in SATT, Shatta Al-Zadjali, Manager, Womens Sailing Programme, said. The families of these girls stood firmly behind them, though they were apprehensive about their safety in the beginning. When I told about my intention to join the programme, my parents were worried as they thought sailing was not a profession meant for girls. But when they saw the facilities, they were fully convinced. Now they are behind me and support me 100 per cent. It has become a matter of pride for them as I am going to represent my country in a prestigious race, says Raiya Al Habsi. From the beginning, they knew it wont be an easy task as they have to rub shoulders with the whos who of the sailing world. As beginners, we found it very hard to train with the experienced Dee Caffari and other trainers. But they encouraged us to do more and taught us the intricacies of off-shore sailing. They helped us in gym workouts and told us to follow a strict diet plan, says Intisar. And how was the feeling inside the camp? We are not just team-mates, we are like sisters. We are members of a family. We know each other very well and are ready to take responsibilities, says Khulood. The race is yet to begin, but they all are hoping for a podium finish when the boats begin to arrive at The Wave Muscat as they feel they have the power and techniques to sail past the experienced men to etch their names in the annals of Omans sailing history.

Isaa S. Al Ismaili Director of Events, Oman Sail It is a great opportunity for the Omani girls to showcase their talent before the international audience. This is just a beginning as we aim to win an Olympic medal in the 2020 Olympics.

Mohsin Al Busaidi Skipper, Team Muscat 2012 I welcome the all-women crew for the competition and I am proud of the four Omani girls who are part of the team. They have got a good captain in Dee Caffari and I hope to see an all-Omani women team in the coming editions of Sailing Arabia The Tour.