THE Sail Bahrain project, which is a brainchild of His Majesty King Hamad, has gotten off to a promising start.
The scheme, which was launched on Thursday last week at Amwaj Marina, aims to build on the kingdom's rich maritime history and develop sailing and other water sports locally.
Bahrain, through the Bahrain Maritime Sports Association, has teamed up with world renowned sailing team Bahrain Team Pindar on the project. They are also being supported by several partners, including leading shipping and logistics company GAC.
As part of Sail Bahrain's objectives, two of Bahrain Team Pindar's 60-foot Volvo racing yachts have been brought to the kingdom. A team of experts from GAC handled their transportation from Southampton in the UK, which involved the removal of each boat's 30-metre masts, the transfer of their 8,000kg keels and their reassembly on land before getting back on the water upon arrival.
On Sunday, GAC hosted a match racing event off the coast of Amwaj Islands using the two yachts. Bahrain Team Pindar skipper and double world champion of match racing Ian Williams took part, as did Bahrain Team Pindar tactician Richard Sydenham, team director Nick Crabtree, GAC Bahrain managing director Captain Peter Gronberg and their guests.
They all later attended a dinner hosted by GAC at Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa.
"Having the two boats here is the first step of Sail Bahrain, which I am certain will now take off," Williams told the GDN. "To see and feel the project underway is fantastic."
Added Crabtree: "It's been incredible for us so far in the week since the launch. As we saw today, the sailing conditions in Bahrain are second to none. The guys really enjoyed what they did, and it is no doubt that sailing at this level can be very popular here.
"Now we have to put in our scheme and involve more young Bahrainis in the sport. In terms of hosting world-class events, we could run one today with these conditions we enjoy. Most importantly, we have the opportunity now to create an outstanding sailing community in Bahrain."
Captain Gronberg is also very pleased that GAC is a major part of Sail Bahrain. "We are very keen to support this project, especially with bringing young people to the water and training them to sail in a safe and professional way," said Gronberg.
"We are hoping that Bahrain becomes a centre of sailing excellence in the Middle East and in the world.
"The weather and wind and conditions here are as good as anywhere else. Bahrain lives up to the highest standard of sailing when it comes to the venue, the climate, the wind and the sea."
The Sail Bahrain initiative also aims to open a top-class sailing academy, the training of Bahrain's present crop of international sailors, and the hosting of world-class regattas.
Sail Bahrain can also help the country by providing hundreds of employment opportunities such as in ship building, and also by promoting tourism.
