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.”
A Route That Demands Everything
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.
Nagini’s Winning Formula: Perseverance, Tactics, 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.
The Winners of the 2025 Race
IRC Overall Winner (receiving a Ulysse Nardin watch)
- 🥇 Lee Brown and Tom Cracknell – Nagini (UAE 380), Farr 30 – 53:22:42 (handicap corrected time)
- 🥈 Alexander Vodovatov – Matrix (UAE 1000), Seaquest 36 – 54:14:47
- 🥉 Jonathan Woodrow – Wanderlust (UAE 2863), Catalina 36 – 55:42:06
Line Honours (first to cross the finish line, winning a limited-edition Montegrappa pen)
- 🥇 Chavdar Aleksandrov – Ivana & Aleks (UAE 43), Landmark 43 – 49:40:38 (elapsed time)
- 🥈 Mohamed Al Kamda – Moxie (UAE 12), Walter Greene Design #46 – 50:03:13
- 🥉 Lee Brown and Tom Cracknell – Nagini (UAE 380), Farr 30 – 50:38:37
Race to the Corner (fastest to round the key Musandam waypoint)
- 🥇 Mohamed Al Kamda – Moxie (UAE 12), Walter Greene Design #46 – 13:58:42
- 🥈 Chavdar Aleksandrov – Ivana & Aleks (UAE 43), Landmark 43 – 14:25:42
- 🥉 Jan Felton – Khaleesi (7301), Dragonfly 40C Performance – 15:14:44
Double-Handed Category
- 🥇 Lee Brown and Tom Cracknell – Nagini (UAE 380), Farr 30 – 53:22:42
- 🥈 Tom Sherwin and Clark Davies – Southern Cross (UAE 367), Beneteau 36.7 – 56:52:50
IRC Cruising Category
- 🥇 Jonathan Woodrow – Wanderlust (UAE 2863), Catalina 36 – 55:42:06 (handicap corrected time)
- 🥈 Amer Al Akhdar – Azzan (UAE 3161), Beneteau Oceanis 38 – 57:14:26
- 🥉 Majed Akl – Astartia (DP 4892), Dufour 382 Grand Large – 60:01:43
Multihull Category
- 🥇 Abdallah ElKharboutly – Layla 22 (UAE 22), Dragonfly 32 – 66:24:06
- 🥈 Laurent Marie – Snow Flake (FRA 33), Dragonfly 32 – 67:05:27
- 🥉 Xavier Bouin and Tania Bouin – Tan (DF 40), Dragonfly 40C Performance – 67:07:15
The Battle for the Corner: Experience Triumphs in a Tight Duel
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 ChavdarAleksandrov. The boats were neck and neck, with crews making split-second decisions – adjusting sail trim and course as they jostled for the lead.
In the end, Moxie edged ahead, rounding the corner first with a time of 13:58:42, leaving spectators in awe. It was a particularly special win for Al Kamda, whose boat boasts a legendary history, having won the Observer Single-handed Trans Atlantic Race (OSTAR) in 1980.
New Faces and Rising Stars
Beyond the winners, this year’s race was a celebration of growth in the sport of sailing and the emergence of new talent. The all-female crew, racing the course for the first time, showed resilience and determination throughout the journey. The youth boat, Twister, brought a contagious energy to the event, giving a glimpse of the region’s sailing future. And the Qatar-based team made history by becoming the first boat from the country to enter the race.
A Community Effort
The race’s success wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of the Dubai Sports Council, the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation, and Oman Sail, as well as the dedication of race organisers, volunteers, sponsors, and the sailors themselves.
“We’re proud of what this event has become,” said David Worrall, race director. “Year after year, we see more boats, more stories, and more reasons to be excited about the future of sailing in this region.”
The Aramex Dubai to Muscat Sailing Race has always been more than just a competition—it’s a test of endurance, strategy, and heart. And this year, it proved once again that with passion and perseverance, anything is possible.
Next year, the Aramex Dubai to Muscat Sailing Race will take part on Saturday 31 January 2026.
Thank You to Our Partners
A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors, whose support makes this event possible: Aramex as our title sponsor, Ulysse Nardin as the official timekeeper, Montegrappa, Beneteau, Elcome, and Marina Bandar Al Rowdha as event co-sponsors.
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