33 teams from eight countries set sail at the start of the 33rd Aramex Dubai to Muscat Race.
DUBAI: A record fleet of 33 boats is on its way towards Oman’s capital city after starting the 360-mile Aramex Dubai to Muscat Offshore Sailing Race this afternoon.
A steady 10-knot westerly breeze greeted the fleet as the boats – ranging from the 9.5-metre Farr 30 to the 17-metre Beneteau First 53 – jostled for position on the start line, set by David Worrall and his race committee from Dubai Offshore Sailing Club.
Making the early running in the first few miles of the course was France’s Heaven Can Wait, the Beneteau First 53 skippered by Julien Monie and Darren Sheppard. Close behind was Ivana and Aleks, the Landmark 43 skippered by Chavdar Aleksandrov and Lyuben Todorov representing the UAE, currently third in the overall IRC standings. In third was Jan Felton’s Khaleesi, the Dragonfly 40C leading the multihull rankings for the UAE.
H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation, watched the fleet as they sailed away from Dubai. “We’re happy to be here at DOSC for this very prestigious event,” he said. “There are more participants this year than last year, and these numbers are growing, so that’s great news.”
First held in 1992, the Dubai to Muscat Race has run annually with only a few exceptions. Fittingly, 2026 marks the 33rd edition of the race, matched by a fleet of 33 boats.
“The Dubai–Muscat has been here for a long time and it connects two countries, crossing by some of the Emirates – Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah – so it’s a very iconic race,” Sheikh Ahmed continued. “One day I’m planning to take part in the race myself. It’s my retirement plan,” he laughed.
Race Director David Worrall was pleased with how the fleet managed the start. “It’s been a lovely sail up towards the corner so far. The lighter breeze at the start helped get all 33 boats cleanly away, and we had spectator boats following behind as the spinnakers went up. With 22 degrees of sunshine, it’s champagne sailing conditions.”
With the overnight forecast predicting winds of around 6–8 knots, the early phase of the race is expected to be testing as teams settle into their watch systems and prepare for the tactical challenges of the Strait of Hormuz.
The 2026 Aramex Dubai to Muscat Race is organised by the United Arab Emirates Sailing and Rowing Federation and Dubai Offshore Sailing Club in association with the Oman Maritime Sports Committee.
Daily updates from the Aramex Dubai to Muscat Race will be distributed through to Thursday 5 February.
