Andrew Pindar OBE and Team Pindar, one of the world’s leading independent sailing teams, has launched the first phase of the Sail Bahrain project, a sailing initiative at Amwaj Marina.

The brainchild of Andrew Pindar, the Sail Bahrain project has been in development for over a year and with the arrival of the highly visible and exciting Volvo 60’s the project is now a reality.

Based in Amwaj Marina at Amwaj Islands, the boats are a platform for the Sail Bahrain project while offering bespoke marketing opportunities at key locations throughout the Gulf.

Pindar along with Shaikh Daij bin Salman bin Daij Al Khalifa, chairman of the General Organisation of Sea Ports, officially welcomed the arrival of the two spectacular 60 foot Volvo ocean-racing yachts with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The main objective of Sail Bahrain is to work with the BMSA on developing a best-in-class sailing and water sports academy; bring major international sailing and water sports events to Bahrain on a regular basis and create training and educational programmes targeted at young people from across society, said Pindar.

Sail Bahrain aims to work with schools, polytechnics and universities to ensure that the right courses and teachers are in place and qualifications gained, he added.

The Volvo 60’s rank among the elite in yacht racing, having gained fame after each circumnavigating the world and their arrival marks the initial phase of the Sail Bahrain project.

Operated by Team Pindar and offering unique sailing experiences, in Bahrain and throughout the Gulf, both Volvo 60s are available for training, corporate hospitality, team-building and yacht charter initiatives.

Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, chief executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board said, 'We are delighted to welcome the launch of Sail Bahrain and two of its magnificent 60 foot yachts to our Amwaj Marina.'

'Bahrain’s 5000 year history and culture has always been closely linked to the sea and that tradition is very much alive today with the new Khalifa bin Salman Port and the growth of our maritime tourism infrastructure.'
 
'Sail Bahrain will create a training school for young Bahrainis to help develop our sailing champions of the future, be it Olympians or round-the-world adventurers. Initiatives like Sail Bahrain nurture sporting heroes for the future and so create role models who can inspire every Bahraini to be proud of our nation’s achievements.'

'We wish Sail Bahrain every success in becoming a world-class centre of excellence, enhancing the Kingdom’s ability to host world class sailing events, building on the success of Andrew Pindar and his team and of course Bahrain’s own sailing Olympian Sami Kooheji,' he added.

Pindar said, 'We are delighted to launch Sail Bahrain and welcome the arrival of the Volvo 60’s as the first stage in the Sail Bahrain project. The Kingdom has a rich maritime history and is a great country which is blessed with perfect sailing conditions.'

'Sail Bahrain aims to create a new and exciting future for sailing and water sports in the Kingdom which will create many jobs and opportunities for the people of Bahrain. Having the Volvo 60’s here is the first step, with future plans including an intention to develop an iconic yacht club along with a youth education programme giving Bahrainis the chance to compete on the global sailing stage,' he added.

The two Volvo 60s, which weigh in at 30 gross tons, left Southampton in the UK on 27 September and arrived at Amwaj Marina, Bahrain earlier this week. A team of experts from Team Pindar’s logistical partner GAC — the world’s leading provider of shipping, logistics and marine services – handled their journey from start to finish.

Captain Peter Gronberg, managing director, GAC Bahrain said, 'We are very proud to be involved and associated with the Sail Bahrain initiative. As the first phase of Sail Bahrain the two Volvo 60 racing yachts give locals and visitors alike a unique opportunity to get a taste of the very best of ocean racing.'

'The Sail Bahrain project is extremely exciting and offers so much more than bringing these spectacular boats in the Kingdom,' he added.

On hosting the boats at Amwaj Marina, managing director Jameel Almatrook, said: 'We are proud to support Team Pindar and the Sail Bahrain project. Having the Volvo 60's here adds to the glamour here at the Amwaj Marina, Amwaj Islands. We share the vision and passion of the Sail Bahrain initiative and wish Team Pindar and the project every success.'-TradeArabia News Service