Oman Sail - Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2012 (SATT)
Back row, left to right - Khulood Al Kindi, Intesar Al Tubi, Christine Briand, Katie Pettiebone, Mary Rook, Hannah Morris
Front row, right to left - Raiya Al Habsi, Dee Caffari, Tahira Al Yahyaee, Emma Westmacott
In February 2012, Dee will skipper the only all female crew taking part in Sailing Arabia – The Tour. Established in early 2011 by Oman Sail, SATT is the first international sailing regatta to join together the nations of the Gulf to race competitively around the region, as a regional alternative to Le Tour France a la Voile.
The entry of an all female crewed boat into SATT will be one of the first major milestones in Oman Sail’s Women’s Programme, an initiative that was officially launched in October last year and aims to develop Oman’s first professional female sailors. The crew, led by Dee, will be training hard over the winter months to ensure they can put in a competitive performance.
Along with five experienced international sailors, four Omani women have been chosen to join the crew and represent Oman in the SATT.
Crew
Skipper – Dee Caffari
Intesar Al Tubi – Omani Race Crew Member
Raiya Al Habsi – Omani Race Crew Member
Navigator/Tactician - Christine Briand
Christine is from France and has a wealth of experience racing all boats, large and small. Christine has vast experience from her time on the Whitbread and Volvo circuits.
Mainsail Trimmer - Katie Pettiebone
Katie is from the USA and, apart from gaining experience on both the Whitbread and Volvo circuits, she has also been involved in America’s Cup Campaigns. When not sailing at an elite level, Katie works as a lawyer in California. You can follow Katie on twitter @katiepettibone
Trimmer - Mary Rook
Mary is from the UK, has been training in match racing and is now focused on the 2016 Olympics. You can follow her international racing career at www.maryrook.com and on twitter at @maryrooksailing
Pit - Hannah Rose Morris
Hannah is from New Zealand and has been match racing, training and also racing as crew at regattas worldwide. Hannah writes for sailworld.com and Sailing Anarchy website and you can follow her blogs at www.multihullventures.co.nz
Bow - Claire Pruvot
Claire is from France and will be taking time out of her Olympic training to compete in this event. Claire will be representing France in the Olympics as bow for Claire Leroy’s Match Racing team.
Pit - Emma Westmacott
Emma is from the UK and draws much experience from time on the Volvo Ocean Race. Emma is taking over from Hannah Morris part way through the event and works as a personal trainer when not sailing.
Khulood Al Kindi – Omani reserve crew
Tahira Al Yahyaee – Omani reserve crew
Boat
Farr 30 racing yacht Al Thuraya Bank Muscat
Oman Sail
Oman Sail is an exciting initiative formed in 2008 to reignite Oman’s maritime heritage and to inspire the next generation. The project includes hi-tech ocean sailing and the highest level inshore professional racing, in turn driving interest from young Omanis to step on to a boat for the first time, creating dreams of their own. The Oman Sailing School is now established in Muscat, Oman and the long-term objective is to make sailing accessible to schools and young enthusiasts, developing a wider base from which sailors from around the country can progress up in to the Oman Sail Racing Team. They will also be encouraged to develop marine industry skills and the infrastructure to create a sustainable future for sailing in Oman. The creation of role models such as Khamis Al Anbouri and Mohsin Al Busaidi has already started to inspire young Omanis and shows that with determination and hard work, anything is possible.
For further information on Oman Sail or the SATT visit www.omansail.com
keep up to date with the race by following Dee at...
