An ISAF Match Race Clinic was held in Doha on the 21st and 22nd October as a pre regatta education on Match Racing.

Following the introduction of Match Racing into the Asian Games held in Doha in 2006 the interest in Match racing is increasing in the Asian region. The Doha Sailing and Rowing Club has seven Benetau 7.5’s which were gifted to the club following the Games along with several boats suitable for umpiring. Captain Arshad has recently been appointed full time at the club and is coordinating events especially Match Racing and has several local crews using the boats.

Attendance was a little spasmodic as those attending had to manage time off work and other matters so we divided the classroom time into one morning session and one evening session with an afternoon session in between, the others unfortunately could not take place as we did not have sufficient wind. Over the two sessions we had 14 participants including the Race Committee, they were from Qatar, UK, RSA and FRA.

There are a high number of expats in Qatar which is helping the move towards sailing as a sport alternative especially with sailing now in the Asian Games, the facility at the Doha Sailing and Rowing Club has excellent equipment and location and with 2 full time staff the expectation is that the region will develop quickly.

Jack Lloyd
Instructor.

15/09/2007