Oman Sail Team Heads to Germany for 2026 29er World Championship

Muscat: A high-performance Oman Sail team will compete at the 2026 29er World Championship in Kiel, Germany, with the event getting underway on 2 July and bringing together top youth skiff sailors from more than 30 countries.

Representing Oman will be Tamim Al Balushi and Firas Al Nabhani, with the team led by Hashim Al Rashdi, Oman Sail’s Head Coach Performance, and supported by 29er coach Zakarya Al Wahabi.

The championship follows the renowned Kiel Week regatta and is regarded as one of the world’s leading events for youth skiff sailing.

The Omani pair head into the competition after encouraging performances at the Euro Cup Series on Lake Garda, Italy, in May. There, Tamim Al Balushi and Saleh Al Balushi secured a top-10 finish in the Silver Fleet, while Saud Al Shaqsi and Firas Al Nabhani also competed in the Silver Fleet and claimed victory in the ninth race of the regatta.

Hashim Al Rashdi said the championship marks an important milestone for Oman Sail’s 29er programme, noting that the sailors have spent months preparing for the highly competitive event.

“Our athletes have been working tirelessly to adapt to high-speed, tactical racing. We are heading to Kiel with great preparation and high hopes for a strong performance against the world’s best,” he said.

Coach Zakarya Al Wahabi said the team has shown consistent progress throughout the season, improving both manoeuvres and race management.

“Competing in Kiel provides a valuable opportunity to represent Oman, gain elite racing experience and compete for a strong result,” he said.

The championship schedule includes registration and equipment inspection before the qualifying series and final rounds determine the world champions.

The event forms part of Oman Sail’s busy summer programme as the youth squad prepares for the 20th Asian Games in Japan this September through intensive training camps and international competition.

Oman Sail continues to invest in youth development through high-performance sailing programmes that build sporting excellence alongside leadership and life skills, while also supporting the goals of Oman Vision 2040 by promoting the Sultanate on the international sporting stage.