Oman Sail: From Zero to the Volvo Ocean Race

In 2008 His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said gave his blessing for Oman Sail to be formed in the Arab state. The initial objective was to to build a sailing school to teach young Omanis the sport and reinstate the maritime eminence the country once had.

Now six years later in 2014, Oman had its first Optimist nationals, a team with a 50% Omani crew smashed the world record around Britain and Ireland, and the country is optimistic that an Omani will qualify for the 2016 Olympics.

Sidney Gavignet, the 45-year-old skipper of the MOD 70ft Musandam-Oman, plays a dual role for the Sultanate of Oman; he is both a teacher and a role model for the Oman Sail national initiative that seeks to create a generation of sailors and competes at the highest level.

Digby Fox interviews Sidney Gavignet, skipper of the MOD 70ft Musandam-Oman Sail, before Sidney set out to compete in the Route du Rhum.

The 10th edition of the Route du Rhum is a 3542 nm singlehanded race from Saint-Malo (France) to Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe). Held every four years, the 2014 race started November 2 with 91 solo skippers.

Digby also interviewed Omani sailor Fahad Al Hasni and David Graham, CEO of Oman Sail, on their Volvo Ocean Race intentions.

Video published November 6, 2014.