EFG International to Title Sponsor Gulf Sailing Event

Oman Sail today announced that EFG International, a leading global private banking group, will be the main sponsor of Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2013, the Gulf region’s only long distance offshore sailing event.

EFG International will be the title sponsor of the race, which will involve elite teams from across the region and around the world.

Thanks to its involvement, the event will be named “EFG Bank Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2013” and will take place between 10th to 25th February of next year. The title sponsor will also participate directly in the race with its team EFG Bank Monaco, named to reflect the “EFG Bank Sailing Academy” partnership with the Monaco Yacht club, and pointing to the bank’s business presence in 30 locations around the world. 

Sailing Arabia – The Tour had its first edition in 2011 with the aim to promote the Middle East as an international sailing race destination and to establish a competition that is considered part of the international sailing agenda. Thanks to the perfect winter climate conditions in the Middle East, the regatta has already achieved a place in the calendars of the world’s leading sailors, and is now a firm fixture on the international circuit. During the fifteen day 2012 race, 63 sailors in 9 one-design keelboats competed fiercely over 760 nautical miles of challenging conditions, calling at 7 world class regional marinas and setting high expectations for 2013’s event.

David Graham, Oman Sail CEO commented: “It’s an honour for us to have EFG International as a sponsor of the 3rd edition of Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2013. EFG International is a globally recognised name in private banking and has sponsored a number of high profile sporting events, with sailing as one of its focal points. Our partnership with EFG International, which is the first time they have sponsored sailing in the Gulf, will draw considerable attention to this unique event, and provide invaluable support to Oman Sail in our efforts to rejuvenate the great tradition of competitive sailing in the region.”

George Catsiapis, Managing Director, commented: “EFG International has a strong commitment to sailing, and is pleased to be the title sponsor of Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2013. Thanks to the success of the previous editions of the race, and Oman Sail’s commitment to youth mentoring and sail training, we felt that the sponsorship was a good fit with our sponsorship goals, and we are confident that EFG Bank Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2013 will go a long way to establishing the sport in the hearts of the Gulf’s people.”

EFG Bank Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2013 will feature teams from across the region and from the top echelons of the international keelboat circuit competing in a fleet of identical Farr 30 boats, one of the Grand Prix racing world’s most exciting platforms. With 15 days of intense racing along the Gulf coast, from Bahrain to Qatar, through Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Dibba, and Mussanah to the finish line at Muscat, the race will provide regional sports fans with a window into the excitement of the physically demanding and highly strategic sport of offshore sailing.

In addition to the Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2013, EFG International also sponsors: EFG Bank Mandrake (competing in leading regattas across Asia); EFG Bank Sailing Team (competing in the Melges 24 class, Europe); EFG Bank Sailing Academy, Monaco Yacht Club; BACARDI Sailing Week, Miami and Newport; The Star Winter Series, Florida; and The Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.
EFG Bank Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2013 is taking place between 10th to 25th February 2013 travelling across the Gulf between Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and finally Oman.