Doha: Qatar sailors dominated proceedings on the first day of the Sail Qatar 2015 Regatta to kick off their campaign on a flying note. The local sailors had a good day moving to the top in three categories, in the event organised Qatar Sailing & Water-Sports Federation (QSWSF).
Waleed Al Sharshani in Laser Standard, Faris Al Bakri in Laser Radial and Ajinesh Abdulrahman in the Laser 4.7 overcame stiff challenge to move to the top in the five-day event which ends on October 20.
On Friday, Singapore team showed impressive performance to win the Optimist class.
The maximum number of competitors will be seen in action in the Optimist class where in 37 sailors will compete for the individual and team events.
Hosts Qatar have 11 competitors in the Optimist class, the biggest contingent among the countries competing in the Optimist class. Singapore have sent ten sailors, while UAE and Kuwait have five sailors in the category.
Young sailors from Argentina, Belgium, New Zealand and Spain will try to control their sails in the Doha waters.
The local squad in the Optimist consists of Kheireddine Bouchema, Ali Al Sharshani, Abdulla Al Sharshani, Mohcen Al Sharshani, Mohmed Al Sharshani, Ali Al Marhoon, Yacine Al Benzarti, Zaid Al Awamlah, Shahed Al Awamlah, Ghanim Al Sewaidi and Abdurehman Al Nasser.
Besides the Optimist Team racing, sailors are competing in the Optimist, Laser 4.7, Laser RDL, Laser STD and Hobie – 16 categories. Sailors from 14 countries including Argentina, UAE, Australia, Belgium, British, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Italy, New Zealand, UK, Singapore, Spain and hosts Qatar are vying for top honours in different categories.
THE PENINSULA
