A Galway-led crew is holding eighth place overall after the opening stages of the 2026 Aramex Dubai to Muscat Offshore Sailing Race.
Skipper Ronnie Considine’s Mumm 30 Nagini made a sharp start in Saturday morning’s light Gulf breeze, quickly punching above her weight against a mixed fleet of 33 offshore yachts.
As Afloat reported earlier, the smallest in the IRC fleet, Nagini, is flying under Irish colours with a fully West of Ireland crew.
On board are 2014 Round Ireland Race winner Aodhan FitzGerald, Tom Murphy and Ruairc Ó Tuairisc from Galway Bay Sailing Club, and Louis Molloy of Mayo Sailing Club.
Speaking ahead of the race, Considine said: “It’s an incredible course — complex navigation, tight shipping lanes, and heat. But we’re ready to give it everything.”
The 360-nautical mile route threads through the Arabian Gulf and the choke-point of the Strait of Hormuz before reaching the finish at Marina Bandar Al Rowdha in Muscat, Oman.
Race Director David Worrall described the start as “the strongest fleet in the race’s history.”
With big names, high-tech boats and strong regional challengers, Nagini’s early performance is turning heads.
Tracking data (see below) from Saturday morning shows her lying eighth on IRC corrected time.
Conditions are variable, with tactical breeze shifts and currents in play before the fleet reaches the Strait.
Veteran sailor Hamad Al Mutawaa, competing on El Seraya, summed up the race’s challenge: “You earn every mile on this course.”
The Irish crew must now manage sleep, sail changes, and heat as the race enters nightfall — and the Strait of Hormuz looms.
Tracker here
