Credit : Mark Lloyd/Oman sail
Oman Air Majan has been based in Lorient during the summer but had to be in St. Malo by midday on Friday, the deadline set by race organisers for all competitors in the grueling Route du Rhum race. In all, there are 86 boats competing across four classes in the race and they are all in the small port of St.Malo. Oman Air Majan is in the ‘Ultimate’ class and, at 105’ long (33m), is amongst the biggest of all the racing yachts there. As a result, she is one of the most popular for the crowds to come and see and have their photos taken with. By the start of the race on the 31st October, it is anticipated that over 200,000 people will have visited the race village.
The 220 mile delivery from Lorient to St. Malo was a short journey compared to the 5,600kms (3,500 miles) she will cover during the Route du Rhum. On board was race skipper Sidney Gavignet who was joined by long-term captain Paul Standbridge as well is journalists from CNN and AFP amongst others. “I thought we would have light winds down to St. Malo but in the end it was a very nice breeze. We had 15 knots (28 km/h) most of the time, the moon was almost full and the arrival in St. Malo was gorgeous with a magnificent sunrise. The journalists were very happy as the weather was perfect for TV and interviewing. I am very satisfied because the boat is perfectly prepared for the race and there will be very few things to do in St. Malo. We will have time to spend with the many Omani guests we are expecting as well as family. The whole team has really done an amazing job, thanks to them.” Said Sidney once they had tied up and stepped ashore.
The Ministry of Tourism’s representative office in France is part of the massive event that surrounds the start of the Route du Rhum, a race that is close to the hearts of the French. Many of the guests to the Omani pavilion will learn more about visiting Oman and will be introduced to Oman Air and their direct flights to Muscat from France.
From Oman Sail
