Aramex Dubai to Muscat Race
Image © Mikey Brignall/DOSC/Sarozz Jung

The 33rd edition of the Aramex Dubai to Muscat Race has drawn to a close with the Irish crew onboard Nagini confirmed as IRC overall winners, capping off a week of racing that delivered everything from champagne sailing to punishing calms across 360 nautical miles.

 

Julien Monie's Heaven Can Wait – the French-flagged Beneteau First 53 that led the fleet around the ‘corner’ at the Strait of Hormuz – crossed first into Muscat, followed by Jan Felton's Khaleesi (Dragonfly 40C) for the UAE and Simon Reeves' Notorious I (Beneteau First 44) representing Great Britain. But on IRC corrected time, it was Nagini skippered by Ronan Considine that claimed the top prize. The boat, owned by Lee Brown and crewed entirely by Irish sailors, adds a second consecutive overall victory to the boat's record after Brown won last year's edition double-handed with Tom Cracknell.

 

Second straight overall win for Farr 30 Nagini

The five-strong crew on Nagini this year – all of whom flew in from Ireland apart from Dubai-based Considine – were under no illusions about expectations. "Nagini won last year's race, so there was pressure," said Ruairc O'Tuairisg. "It was a really high level of racing. We gave it our all and managed to win by just a few minutes – that’s all we can do!"

 

The decisive moment came on the penultimate night, when the fleet was becalmed off the Omani coast. "I think Ruairc won the race for us that night," said Considine. "There was zero wind, and he just kept the boat moving for four hours. He was a demon on the helm." For Considine, it was a landmark result. "It's my first big win offshore, and the feeling is amazing. Thanks to DP World for sponsoring the boat this year. It meant a lot and took the pressure off us financially, so we could focus on the racing." Back home in Ireland, the victory has not gone unnoticed. "The amount of messages, the amount of positivity – even my extended family were engrossed in it," he added. "We'll definitely be telling people about this race. I’d also like to thank the race committee and DOSC for delivering a world class event and we look forward to potentially defending our win next year!"

 

Heaven Can Wait takes line honours

For Heaven Can Wait, line honours capped a remarkable debut. Sailed by a crew of eight from six nationalities, some of whom met for the first time on the day of the start, their race nearly unravelled on day one when a moment's distraction led to a torn spinnaker. “On day two we were anchored against currents, but thanks to our lucky stars the rest was upwind, as we no longer had our downwind sail!” said boat owner Julien Monie. “We came together as strangers and left as champions.”

 

“We honestly didn’t know what to expect before the start, but as soon as we found our groove and sailed the boat well, we saw just how quick she can be,” said skipper Darren Sheppard after his first Dubai to Muscat race. “We’re already looking forward to more offshore racing at DOSC and hopefully lining up for another D2M.”

 

IRC podium and multihull results

Marco Passante’s Sandpiper (Beneteau First 34.7) finished second in IRC overall, and Brad Rademeyer's Matrix (Seaquest RP36) co-skippered with David Blackwell rounded out the podium, also taking the IRC double-handed title. In the ‘Race to the Corner’, Heaven Can Wait led the way, followed by Lyuben Todorov's Ivana and Aleks (Landmark 43) for the UAE – which later had to retire – and Khaleesi, which went on to become the first multihull into Muscat. Abdallah Elkharboutly's Layla 22 (Dragonfly 32) and Monish Saini's B Nirvana (Gunboat 48) completed the multihull podium.

 

At Marina Bandar Al Rowdha, the official finish line in Muscat, boats have been welcomed ashore throughout the week. Saud Al Subhi, Marina Manager, said the race continues to grow in significance for Oman. "This Dubai to Muscat race means a lot to the marina," he said. "We are always waiting to accommodate these beautiful sailing boats and see the different faces from the different countries. There’s a plan to promote this race more and more and get the governments, the ministries, and the people involved in the future."

 

From start line to world voyage

One of the clearest reminders that Dubai to Muscat can be bigger than a results sheet came from Longreach, the Lagoon 450 skippered by Jennifer Perret. During the windless hours near the Iranian border the crew strayed into the exclusion zone and were disqualified. But the race marked the start of a voyage around the world. Living aboard Longreach, the family are now bound for Socotra, Djibouti, the Red Sea, and eventually the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

 

"It was a race of many parts, and coming through the Gap was awesome," said Perret. "It's always difficult to pick a date to go, but the Dubai to Muscat was perfect. With all of the wonderful DOSC members around us, it's a nice way to wave goodbye."

 

A race connecting regions and crews

Race Director David Worrall reflected on an edition that underlined the event's growing international reach. "This year's Aramex Dubai to Muscat Race really shows what makes this event special on the international offshore calendar," he said. "We had a record 33 boats on the start line representing multiple nations, and fittingly, an Irish crew took the IRC overall win while the French boats were first into Muscat. That international spirit is what we're working to build – a race that connects the two countries of UAE and Oman and attracts crews from around the world.

 

“The UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation, Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, and the Oman Maritime Sports Committee have all put enormous effort into making this happen, and when you see boats from different nations racing together across 360 miles, sharing radio banter in the calms and pushing each other to the finish, you realise it's all worthwhile. We're already looking forward to welcoming even more regional and international crews next year.”

 

The 2026 ARAMEX D2M is organised by the United Arab Emirates Sailing & Rowing Federation (UAE SARF) and Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (DOSC) in association with the Oman Maritime Sports Committee.

 

For the full results, go to www.dubaitomuscatrace.com or follow @doscuae on Instagram.