Dubai to Muscat Sailing Race concludes on high note

The 32nd edition of the Aramex Dubai to Muscat Sailing Race has made history, delivering an unforgettable 360+ nautical mile challenge that tested every sailor’s skill, endurance, and determination. This year’s race was one for the record books: all 26 boats that started the race crossed the finish line—a first in the event’s 32-year history. Even more remarkably, every boat finished within 24 hours of one another, with the entire fleet completing the course in under three days.

It wasn’t just the results that stood out. The 2025 race saw a record-breaking 121 sailors from diverse backgrounds take part, including an all-female crew, the youth boat Twister, crewed mostly by sailors under 20, made their mark with impressive tenacity and teamwork, and several international teams including an entry from Qatar, marking a new milestone for the race’s growing regional reach.

“This year’s race wasn’t just about the numbers—it was about the people and the stories behind them,” said Ed Shiffner, DOSC Rear Commodore. “From the youth crew showing incredible maturity and resilience to the veterans pushing harder than ever, this race had it all. And for the first time, we saw every boat cross that finish line in record time—a moment we won’t forget.”

The Aramex Dubai to Muscat Sailing Race follows a demanding offshore route, taking crews from the waters of Dubai, UAE, through the narrow, unpredictable Strait of Hormuz, and along Oman’s dramatic coastline to the finish line in Muscat, Oman. With strong currents, shifting winds, and challenging night watches, the course requires more than just skill—it demands endurance, adaptability, and teamwork.

Victory in the IRC Overall category went to co-skippers Lee Brown and Tom Cracknell aboard Nagini (UAE 380), a Farr 30 that delivered a masterclass in resilience, tactical thinking, and teamwork. Their success in the 2025 Aramex Dubai to Muscat Sailing Race was the culmination of three double-handed attempts—each with its own dramatic story.

The offshore sailing duo first took on the challenge in 2023, which was their first time racing offshore double-handed. This year, everything came together. A fast run to the top of the course saw them frequently hitting speeds of 14–15 knots. Their momentum came to an abrupt halt when the wind died as they entered the notorious gap—a well-known wind trap between the mainland and a nearby island in the Musandam that has caught out many experienced sailors. As the tide pushed them backwards toward the rocks, they made a bold call: turn around, sail back through the gap, and take the longer route around the top in search of better wind. The gamble paid off; 15 sail changes, five hours of sleep each, and before they knew it, they were crossing the finish line in Muscat.

One of the most gripping moments of the race unfolded during the Race to the Corner. As the fleet approached the critical turning point around the island of Jazirat Musandam, Moxie—a Walter Greene Design #46 skippered by Mohamed Al Kamda—was locked in a tense battle with Ivana & Aleks – a Landmark 43, skippered by Chavdar Aleksandrov. The boats were neck and neck, with crews making split-second decisions – adjusting sail trim and course as they jostled for the lead.