MUSCAT : As one of the most prestigious events on the European sailing calendar, the regatta brings together top-tier international talent for a high-stakes test of skill and strategy.

The championship begins on May 1st, featuring 71 teams across the overall, senior, U19, and U17 categories. Competitors will battle on Lake Garda’s world-renowned waters, known for their unique wind conditions and elite racing history.

The Sultanate is represented in this championship by Oman Sail’s high-performance 29er boats, which includes the duo of sailors Tamim bin Sulaiman Al Balushi and Saleh bin Ali Al Balushi, along with sailors Saud bin Talib Al Shaqsi and Firas bin Haitham Al Nabhani. This comes within the framework of a national programme to develop talents and refine the capabilities of young sailors to compete on the international stage and participate in the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.

The three-day event consists of 12 races, including qualifying rounds and a final-day medal series. This participation is part of a long-term national program designed to refine the capabilities of young Omani sailors ahead of the 20th Asian Games, set for September 2026 in Gamagori, Japan.

The team arrives in Italy fresh from an intensive training camp in La Baule, France. Under the guidance of French head coach Fabrice Jeunet – who holds more than 15 world titles – and assistant coach Zakaria Al-Wahabi, the sailors are testing their technical and physical readiness in diverse maritime conditions.

Hashim bin Hamad Al Rashdi, head coach at Oman Sail, emphasized that the Lake Garda regatta is a vital developmental step.

Following the conclusion of the championship in Italy, the team will return to Oman before departing for a busy summer schedule in Germany, featuring Kiel Week (June 24–29) and the 29er World Championship (July 2–7), followed by final preparations for the Asian Games.

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