Millennium Resort Mussanah hosts region’s first RS:W World Windsurfing Championships

Millennium Resort Mussanah welcomed 141 of the world’s best top-ranked windsurfers as host venue for the 2015 RS:X World Windsurfing Championships, organised by Oman Sail. Held in the region for the first time, the week-long World Championships were the last major qualifying event before next summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Throughout the tournament, surfers, coaches and guests experienced the traditional warm Omani hospitality courtesy of the resort’s world-class on-site amenities and Olympic standard training facilities.

The event saw official support with HE Sheikh Sa’ad bin Mohammed bin Al Mardhoof Al Sa'adi, Minister of Sports Affairs participating as guest of honour at the opening ceremony, while HE Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mahrazi, Minister of Tourism attended the closing gala.

Maurice de Rooij, General Manager of the Millennium Resort Mussanah, said, “Hosting major international events is an ideal opportunity to present Oman to the world. In the future, it is our hope that our resort, which features fully equipped Olympic standard facilities and benefits from ideal weather conditions similar to those expected in Rio next year, can become a regular training base for elite athletes and teams preparing for major events.”

He added, “Attracting major tournaments to Oman is an important step forward in the national tourism industry, bringing guests from around the world to our shores to share a unique experience of Arabia. We are honoured to have been part of this incredible event and our sincerest gratitude goes to the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Sports Affairs and Oman Sail for their support.”

First place in the RS:X Men’s race went to Pierre Le Coq from France with Piena Chen from China winning the Women’s category. In the Oman RS:X U21 Championship, 19-year old Mattia Camboni from Italy won the Men’s event, and 18-year old Stefania Elfutina from Russia won the U21 Women’s race. The event marked the 10th anniversary of the RS:X Class, attracting some of the most distinguished names in windsurfing including RSX Class President, Carlo Dalla Vedova, designer of the RS:X surfboard, Neil Pryde, as well as representatives from most of the 32 competing nations.

Millennium Resort Mussanah was built on the site of the 2^nd Asian Beach Games and still retains many of the world-class leisure facilities. The resort has gained a reputation for hosting some of Oman’s biggest sporting events including the 2014 EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour, the 2013 Laser World Championship, and will host the Laser Radial Women’s World Championships next month as 120 of the world’s best female sailors compete for a spot at the Olympics in 2016.