VNR Alert: Racing underway at the 2025 World Sailing Inclusion Championships in Mussanah

Racing started following a three-day Inclusive Development Programme organised by World Sailing, which served as a key preparatory phase for sailors, coaches, and race officials. The opening day featured intense competition across four internationally recognised classes: the one-person Hansa 303 and two-person RS Venture Connect, plus ILCA 6s for intellectually impaired athletes, and FarEast 28Rs for visually impaired athletes.

In the RS Venture Connect class, Team Norway, featuring Henriette Smith and Solfrid Lindhjem Kvinnesland, established an early lead at the top of the leaderboard. They were followed by Team Poland, represented by Piotr Cichocki and Olga Gornas-Grudzien, in second place, while Team Norway, sailed by Stian Kristiansen and Elliot Finnestrand, secured third in a promising start to their campaign.

In the Hansa 303 class, Great Britain’s Rory McKinna delivered a standout performance to take first place, with Takumi Niwa of Japan close behind in second. Portugal’s João Pinto claimed third after demonstrating steady and consistent form throughout the day.

The ILCA 6 category saw Great Britain’s Murray Macdonald dominate the fleet to finish first, while Man Hong Leung of Hong Kong, China, secured second place. His compatriot, Tsz Hin Cheung, completed the podium in third.

After the conclusion of the races, Portuguese sailor João Pinto expressed his admiration for the championship’s exceptional conditions, noting that the event offers an ideal environment for high-level competition. He said: “The conditions in Mussanah are excellent, and the organisation is being carried out to the highest standards. The varied sea conditions create a positive challenge for sailors and help level the playing field while unifying participation standards — a clear reflection of the championship’s vision to promote inclusivity and integrate athletes with disabilities into the sport.”

Regarding his ambitions for the upcoming races, he said: “Every sailor strives to reach the podium, and that’s what makes the competition intense and challenging. I will give everything I have to achieve a strong result, but ultimately, performance on the water is what matters most. We hope the coming days bring positive results for everyone.”

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is also making a notable appearance, with sailor Saad Ali Al Qahtani competing in the Hansa 303 class. “I am proud to represent Saudi Arabia in a championship that truly embodies the spirit of inclusive sport. The competition is exceptional, and the organisation reflects a world-class standard that enables athletes with disabilities to demonstrate their full potential,” Al Qahtani said.

The championship builds on Oman Sail’s track record of hosting major international sailing events, reinforcing the Sultanate’s reputation as a leading destination for global marine sports. Over recent months, the organising committee has prepared the marina facilities, enhanced mobility pathways, and ensured that all operational aspects meet the highest international standards for accessibility and safety.

Races will continue over five days, culminating in a closing ceremony on 8 December, where winners across all four classes will be honoured. Higher levels of competition are expected in the coming days as sailors strive for podium positions in this landmark edition.

The championships are powered by Oman Sail and Oman Maritime Sports Committee and supported by World Sailing’s global partners Musto and Kuehne+Nagel; Strategic Partners the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, Experience Oman, and the Al Batinah South Governorate; and Bronze Partners Barceló Mussanah Resort, OXY Oman, Visit Oman, Tanuf, and Mazoon Dairy.

Read more about the World Sailing Inclusion Championships here . 

For the detailed results, please click here. 

Operating under Oman Tourism Development Company, Oman Sail is tasked with rekindling the country’s maritime eminence, promote the Sultanate around the world through sailing, contribute to the sustainable prosperity of the nation and provide long-term learning opportunities for the youth. Since 2008, Oman Sail has built a solid foundation around Sailing, Tourism, Commerce, Health and Environment, all underpinned with competency-based development for its workforce. Committed to offering both men and women equal opportunities to learn, Oman Sail’s programmes focus on nurturing young talent to develop the sailing champions of tomorrow, increasing revenue in the tourism, activity and experiential learning markets and gaining prominent international exposure for the country. The company has a strong track record in delivering a portfolio of events across the Sultanate to showcase Oman’s natural beauty, tourism potential, the people’s hospitality, and the infrastructure readiness for business opportunities. More information can be found on www.omansail.om

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