MUSCAT : A squad of high-performance 29er sailors from Oman Sail will travel to Kiel, Germany, for the 2026 29er World Championship, beginning on 2 July 2026. The eight-day event, held at one of the world’s premier sailing venues, follows the prestigious Kiel Week event and brings together the world’s best youth skiff sailors from over 30 nations around the globe.

Representing Oman will be the team of Tamim Al Balushi and Firas Al Nabhani. The team will be led by Hashim Al Rashdi, Oman Sail’s Head Coach Performance, and supported by 29er coach Zakarya Al Wahabi, focusing on executing strategies honed over months of intensive training.

The team will be looking to build on their promising performances at the Euro Cup Series, on Lake Garda, Italy, in May, where Tamim Al Balushi & Saleh Al Balushi finished in the top ten of the Silver Fleet and Saud Al Shaqsi & Firas Al Nabhani also sailed in the Silver Fleet, finishing just outside the top 20 but won the ninth race of the ten-race round.

Hashim Al Rashdi, Team Leader, said, “The 29er World Championship is a massive milestone for our 29er programme, the newest of our high-performance team. The competition in the 29er class is incredibly tight, and 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.”

Zakarya Al Wahabi, 29er Coach, added, “Our sailors have shown immense growth this season, showing sharper manoeuvres and better fleet management with every regatta. Competing in Kiel provides a fantastic global stage to represent the nation, gain invaluable elite racing experience, and push for a standout result for Oman Sail.”

The championship structure features an intensive schedule starting with registration and equipment inspection, leading into a highly competitive Qualifying Series and Final Series to crown the world champions.

The 2026 29er World Championships form a vital part of a busy summer schedule for Oman Sail’s youth teams, which includes rigorous local training camps and international exposures designed to accelerate technical skills ahead of competing at the 20th Asian Games in Japan in September.

Oman Sail’s commitment to developing the youth of Oman extends beyond sailing by providing opportunities for life-long learning and leadership development where the skills learned on the water and in a high-performance environment can be applied to a multitude of situations.

Oman Sail has also earned a reputation as a valued host venue, partner, and member of the world sailing community. By promoting the country regionally and internationally, Oman Sail continues to welcome the world to its shores, utilising sport to deliver on the strategic objectives of Oman Vision 2040.