An extrAordinAry Adventure - cloudfront.net
An extraordinary adventure
Charting the EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2015 Commemorating the Zain Team’s success brought to you by Huawei
An extraordinary adventure
CONTENTS Huawei welcome message
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True partnerships are built over time, and that has been an important aspect of Zain’s relationship with Huawei. In fact, Zain has chosen to partner with Huawei since the establishment of Zain’s first 3G mobile network
Exhilaration on water
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During leg 5 the Zain Team continued to showcase their talents in the most challenging leg of the race so far
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Victory at last – Teamwork pays off
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The Zain Sailing Team won the sixth and final leg of the Tour 2015, shifting them up the rankings to a podium position at third place overall
The always-exciting EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour took place for its fifth year February 15-28, 2015 with a total of 11 teams competing in this year’s instalment. A team sponsored by Middle East telco Zain, which partnered with global technology provider Huawei and global law firm Clifford Chance featured prominently in the proceedings
Zain Sailing Team
Wind in our sails
Parting impressions 4
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Zain Vice Chairman, Bader Al Kharafi’s recent sailing adventure with the company’s admirable team has given him and the participants a grander perception of the importance of teamwork
The 12-man team comprised a number of amateur sailors, including Zain Group’s Vice Chairman, Bader Al Kharafi; the Group’s Head of Treasury, Mike Miller; as well as a number of other senior Zain Group representatives
Learning the ropes
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The first leg of the race was highly challenging, covering a distance of 101 nautical miles. The light, fluky winds proved exceptionally taxing and put an emphasis on good tactics and navigation skills
Growing in confidence
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At 172 nautical miles from Sohar to Ras Al Khaimah via the Musandam Peninsula, leg 2 was renowned for its challenges that included a night sail through often windless conditions
Sailing like professionals
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Leg 3 was the shortest of the Tour and arguably the most straightforward, however it did produce fresh winds that reached 22kts
Winning ways
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The fast 60 nautical mile-sprint from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in leg 4 gave the teams a chance to demonstrate their tactical skills, with the Zain Sailing Team racking up its second impressive second-place
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Produced in coordination with Zain Group Corporate Communications Department, [email protected], www.zain.com Images courtesy of www.lloydimages.com june 2012
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Sailing ahead in a better connected world
How a long-term tie up with Huawei has helped Zain to navigate competitive pressures and steer into an even brighter business horizon
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oday many of us live in a world of amazing advances and limitless possibilities. In that world we do not view connectivity as a privilege, but as a necessity. We also recognise that “alone we can do little, while together we can do so much”. Connecting systems, businesses, cities, societies and people around the globe, Huawei has been a longstanding partner of Zain as both a boat sponsor at the 2015 EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour and as a global leader in information and communication technologies (ICT). Huawei’s telecom network equipment, IT solutions, and smart devices are used in 170 countries and territories worldwide. For the last 15 years Huawei has worked closely with partners across the Middle East to help build a better connected world. Today Huawei Middle East has offices across 10 countries with around 5,000 employees, of whom over 66% are local hires. As in sailing, research and development has been crucial to both Zain’s success and its partnership with Huawei. Every Huawei innovation stems from close interaction with its customers to understand their needs and market demands. Huawei annually invests an average of more than 10% of its total revenue into research and development (R&D) with the company maintaining a total of 28 joint innovation centres worldwide including a joint innovation centre in Kuwait, run in partnership with Zain. True partnerships are built over time, and that has been another important aspect of Zain’s relationship with Huawei. In fact, Zain has chosen to partner with Huawei since the establishment of Zain’s first 3G mobile network. Through a series of consultative, technological, and business partnerships, Huawei has helped Zain welcome in a new era of 4G telecom services. Such advancements have not only brought high-quality services to Zain
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Exhilaration on water The always-exciting EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour took place for its fifth year February 15-28, 2015 with a total of 11 teams representing seven countries and crew members from 21 nationalities competing in this year’s instalment. Crowds gathered on the first day of the race at The Wave, Muscat to join Oman Sail in seeing off the teams for the six legs of sailing over 760 nautical miles, which included a team sponsored by Middle East telco Zain, which partnered with global technology provider Huawei and global law firm Clifford Chance. An incredible adventure lay ahead
True partnerships are built over time, and Huawei’s strong partnership with Zain was clear to witness as their sponsored team powered to a commendable third-place finish overall out of a field of 11
customers, but empowered Zain to be more agile in its business operations. That agility was evident through Zain and Huawei’s participation in the 2015 EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour. The high performance racing yacht sponsored by the two companies—alongside law firm Clifford Chance — was led by two sailing veterans, Cedric Pouligny, the skipper, and Gerald Veniard, the navigator, who are previous winners of the EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour race. For its part, Huawei has been a major supporter of sport across the GCC. Mohamad Sharara, Head of Zain Key Account at Huawei, has reiterated the company’s enthusiasm for this latest partnership with Zain in which the two brands supported the values of cooperation, team work and leadership. “Working closely with partners like Zain, we endeavour to enhance interconnectivity and interactivity around the globe, sparking multitudes of opportunities and potential that can help move the world forward,” concludes Sharara. That agility was evident through Zain and Huawei’s participation in the 2015
EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour. The high performance racing yacht sponsored by the two companies—alongside law firm Clifford Chance — was led by two sailing veterans, Cedric Pouligny, the skipper, and Gerald Veniard, the navigator, who are previous winners of the EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour race. Huawei recognises the efforts of Zain Group’s Vice Chairman, Bader Al Kharafi and Group Treasurer, Mike Miller in facilitating the success of the Zain Sailing Team. For its part, Huawei has been a major supporter of sport across the GCC. Mohamad Sharara, Head of Zain Key Account at Huawei, has reiterated the company’s enthusiasm for this latest partnership with Zain in which the two brands supported the values of cooperation, team work and leadership. “Working closely with partners like Zain, we endeavour to enhance interconnectivity and interactivity around the globe, sparking multitudes of opportunities and potential that can help move the world forward,” concludes Sharara.
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FG Sailing Arabia – The Tour incorporates some of the most demanding offshore sailing and exciting in-port races. It is devised to test the skills of some of world’s best sailors, including a mix of elite regional and international sailors alongside young sailing talent making their Tour debut. The organisers of the event, Oman Sail, are looking to rekindle the region’s maritime heritage through high-level competitive sailing. The 12-man team sponsored by Zain Group, Huawei, and Clifford Chance, for example, comprised a number of amateur sailors, including Zain Group’s Vice Chairman, Bader Al Kharafi; the Group’s Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer, Emre Gurkan; as well as a number of other senior Zain Group representatives. The amateurs were ably directed and guided by more experienced sailors who included Mike Miller, a member of Zain Group’s Kuwait-based Finance team; Cedric Pouligny, the skipper; and Gerald Veniard, the navigator, both of whom are previous winners of the EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour race. The sponsored racing yacht was a high-performance ‘Farr 30’, and the 11 teams constituted the strongest and largest field ever assembled for the race.
The fleet of racing yachts made their way from Muscat to Sohar in Oman, and around the Musandam Peninsula to the UAE and Qatar, before finishing in Bahrain. The race also featured in-port races at the Four Seasons Marina in Doha, and threw up a number of unique challenges. The traditional route of the race was reversed in 2015, for example, with a new starting
point, creating a more exacting test for the boats and crews in the form of strong and sustained headwinds in the early stages. The Zain Sailing Team performed extremely well to achieve two secondplaced finishes and a first-place position in three of the six legs, on course to an overall third-placed finish, in competition with much more experienced crews.
The route of the 2015 EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour race
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Zain Sailing Team
of most sail change manoeuvres. It was Mike’s keenness in all aspects of the race that was critical in Zain success.
Emre Gurkan
Salah was responsible for controlling the foresail and the spinnaker, to maximise the boat speed at all times.
Majed Hashem Majed, who is Egyptian, works in the Legal department at Zain Group in Kuwait. He is one of the Group’s longest standing employees, having joined the company in 2003. He stepped onto a sailing yacht for the first time ever during the warm up training in Muscat just ahead of the start of the SATT. He stood up really well to the challenges of the race, sharing his experiences with his young daughter back at home. On the boat, Majed worked with Salah to manage the huge and unwieldy spinnaker.
the dramatic look of the boat, and more importantly, it was his energy that sowed the seeds and drove the unprecedented exposure of the team in print and social media. He was onsite at the stop overs, taking photos, and pushing the organisers’ media team to deliver for the sailing team.
Freddie Miller
Charbel El Mir Emre is Zain Group’s Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer, responsible for formulating and delivering the necessary plans to take the company forwards. He joined Zain two years ago, following an impressive career in the telecom industry and as a management consultant. Emre is Turkish, and owns his own 50-foot yacht, which he cruises every summer in the Mediterranean. He was a key part of the team during the early legs of the race, crewing at the “mast’.
Malik Marafie
The 12-man Zain Sailing Team comprised individuals of various sailing experience, and yet they were able to pull together for a highly successful showing in the race. L-R -Standing: Charbel El Mir, Bader Al Kharafi, Malik Marafie, Majed Hashem, Mike Miller. L-R-Sitting: Salah Abdulrahim, Cedric Pouligny, Gerard Veniard
Bader Al Kharafi Mr. Al Kharafi is the Vice-Chairman of Zain Group as well as a leading business figure in Kuwait and across the region, sitting on many corporate boards and heavily involved in supporting the capacity building of youth across the region. As the main supporter and driving force behind Zain’s participation of the 2015 EFG Sailing Arabia-The Tour (SATT), he really understood and saw the teambuilding and leadership development potential of the Zain sailing team. He appreciated
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the challenges it set for the participants, from overcoming the tough weather and constant wind changes, to dealing with the pressure-cooker intensity of racing against some world famous professional sailing teams. A Kuwaiti national, Mr. Al Kharafi regularly sails on his own Hobie-16 high-performance catamaran.
Mike Miller Mike, a British national, was the architect of Zain’s participation in the Sailing Arabia Tour 2015. As the team’s leader,
he brought together all the crew and organised all the logistics. Mike works in the Zain Group Finance team, based in Kuwait, where he leads the Group Treasury function. He has been with Zain Group for over six years. Mike has been a sailor since childhood, sailing dinghies and larger yachts. He owns his own yacht, which he helms and races regularly. Mike used his weight in the engine room of the boat – the ‘Pit” – where his strength and stamina was needed to raise and lower the sails, the focal point
Charbel, is Lebanese, and is a Manager in Zain’s innovative Wholesale Networks Group, based in Kuwait. He only recently joined Zain, four months before the start of the SATT. As the second novice on the crew, Charbel needed to learn fast and adapt to the demands of a modern racing yacht in cold and stormy weather. As the ‘Mainsheet trimmer”, Charbel had to work closely with the helmsman, controlling the boat’s principal driving sail.
Rukesh Sharda
Malik, a Kuwaiti national, is the head of Mr. Bader Al Kharafi’s executive team. He has been with Zain for three years, building on a solid career as a banking executive. He is a regular crew member with Bader on the Hobie 16, but has only limited experience on yachts. Sailing on the middle legs of the event, Malik was the ‘guy trimmer’, helping to gybe the spinnaker and tough it out on ‘the rail’.
Cedric Pouligny, the Skipper, & Gerald Veniard the Navigator
Salah Abdulrahim Salah, a Bahraini, is a Manager in Zain Bahrain, where he is head of the ISP and IT department. He joined Zain Bahrain in 2011 following a career in IT and technology in Australia. While in Australia, he sailed regularly, as crew on a racing yacht. As the “trimmer”,
Freddie, Mike Miller’s son, is an accomplished sailor in his own right. An 18 year-old secondary school pupil, Freddie has been sailing and racing dinghies for over 10 years. He is captain of his school sailing team, and is a regular racing and cruising crew member on his father’s yacht. As the “foredeck” on the boat, Freddie was at the heart of most of the more complicated sail-changing manoeuvres. He was also the first change substitute helmsman, charged with driving the boat and maintaining boat speed.
Rukesh, a Kenyan national, manages sponsorship and events at Zain Group and is responsible for activating Zain’s brand at events. He was the man behind
Cedric Pouligny, the skipper, and Gerald Veniard, the navigator, are previous winners of the SATT race. Between them these two veterans of the sport have competed in this sailing race in virtually every year since its establishment, and are both highly accomplished offshore sailors, with numerous Transat races, Tour de France a la Voile, and Route du Rhum achievements to their credit.
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Learning the ropes Leg 1 – 101 nautical miles, February 16, Muscat - Sohar Sailing Arabia – The Tour was first launched by Oman Sail in 2011 as a regional off-shore race that provides a platform for all the GCC nations to showcase their tourism potential as well as a tool to rekindle the mutual Gulf maritime heritage by offering a winter racing venue. The race not only exposes the beauty of the stunning Arabian coast, but also reconnects the region with the sea through sport. It was originally created as an alternative Middle East event to the well-known Tour de France à la Voile, and since inception, it has attracted some of the world’s best sailing talent, and made Oman and the GCC a sought-after winter venue in the international sailing calendar. Alongside this mission is the integral objective of promoting sailing as an accessible, healthy, and economically beneficial sport to local people and enterprises. With some of the finest facilities in the region being showcased, and the use of the Farr 30 One Design class
The Zain team performed reasonably well in the first leg, finishing 7th, an encouraging learning curve for the amateur team’s first ever race together
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as the platform for the race, EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour will continue to act as an inspirational event for GCC sailors; and with role models such as the all-female team entered into the race, EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2015 is well-positioned to plant the seed of sailing firmly in the imagination of a new generation of local young people, and set the scene for the wider renaissance of sailing in the region The first leg of the race was highly challenging, covering a distance of 101 nautical miles. The light, fluky winds proved exceptionally taxing and put an emphasis on good tactics and navigation skills. The Tour reigning champions EFG Bank (Monaco) won the first leg, leading from the early stages of the race from Muscat, Oman and managed to retain their lead to the finish. Commenting on their win, EFG Bank’s skipper Sidney Gavignet said: “It is a great advantage to be first because we
have more time to rest. It was a difficult leg for sure, but it all went to plan and the wind did what was expected. It was challenging because as always in those conditions, is difficult to keep up the momentum. I have to say, I am very, very happy with the team who are working well together. It is a good start and puts us in a good place for the next leg.” The Zain team performed reasonably well finishing 7th, an excellent learning curve for the amateur team’s first ever race together. Commenting on the race, Mike Miller said, “It was a great thrill for all the team to finish in 7th place. Although we struggled in this tough leg, we will build on this experience and our aim is to keep on improving and hopefully finish in the top five overall.” Once ashore, the sleep-deprived sailors, and guests were treated to a lavish, traditional Omani welcoming ceremony laid on by hosts of the first stopover, International Maritime College Oman.
The Zain Sailing Team led leg 2 for a substantial period in the early stages of the race and looked to be a real threat
Growing in confidence Leg 2 – 172 nautical miles, February 17, Sohar – RAK At 172 nautical miles from Sohar to Ras Al Khaimah via the Musandam Peninsula, this leg is renowned for its challenges that include a night sail through often windless conditions in an area strewn with fishing nets, and anchored ships, and strong currents. This year was no exception, and as hard as they tried, the race committee had no
race is a significant achievement. The team from Delft University of Technology, sailing Delft Challenge won leg 2. Wouter Sonnema, the skipper said: “It is great to have won in this competitive fleet. We were in the lead for a long time but we didn’t know it. Our navigation and tactics worked out well and we were in first place when it counted, going through the gate, so we are extremely pleased with the result.” At 172 nautical miles from Sohar to Ras Al Khaimah One of the most impressive via the Musandam Peninsula, leg 2 was renowned teams on the second leg was Zain for its challenges that included a night sail Sailing Team headed by seasoned Tour competitor Cédric Pouligny with Gérald Véniard on navigation. They led for a substantial period in the early stages of the race and looked to be a real threat. Although Team Zain ended up seventh, they were naturally pleased with their performance. Mike Miller commented: “It was a great two days and I think we surprised ourselves. It was tough although we managed to sleep. The most exciting bit was when we ran out of wind trying to go through a gap between the island and the mainland at the top of the Peninsula. We actually got swept back with the tide not once but twice.”
option but to shorten the course at Gate 1, two nautical miles before the narrow passage, into the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the shortened course, the leg was noted for its extremely close racing, which faces changeable conditions in the Gulf of Oman, up the eastern side of the Peninsula. To complete this demanding leg in the ultra-competitive
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Sailing like professionals Leg 3 – 53 nautical miles, February 19, RAK – Dubai At 53 nautical miles from Ras Al Khaimah to Dubai, this was the shortest leg of the Tour and arguably the most straightforward. It did however, produce fresh winds that reached 22kts; the most the fleet had experienced that week. It was also shifty, which resulted in plenty of place changing, particularly in the closing stages. The EFG Bank (Monaco) won leg 3 adding another first place to their leg 1 and first inport race victory,
which strengthened their overall position at the head of the fleet. A fantastic performance resulted in a second-place for the Zain Sailing Team. The result was extra impressive given the fact that so many crew are enthusiastic novices, and Zain team’s Cédric Pouligny commented: “We had a good battle and it was really full-on from the start. I think we sailed pretty well in terms of navigation and did our best. The team is improving really well.”
During their stay at the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, the 11 teams were scheduled to take part in a second inport race. Racing would have incorporated a windward/leeward course just off the club, with the backdrop Dubai’s dramatic skyline of high-rise buildings and appealing architecture. However, due to severe weather conditions, which included an on-land sand storm that severely reduced visibility, this event had to be cancelled.
Winning ways Leg 4 – 60 nautical miles, February 23, Dubai - Abu Dhabi The Zain Sailing Team commented that leg 4 was challenging and the rough sea made conditions even more difficult
The fast 60 nautical mile-sprint from Dubai to Abu Dhabi gave the teams a chance to demonstrate their tactical skills, with the Zain Sailing Team racking up its second impressive second-place for this leg of the Tour. The crew for this leg also included Zain Group’s Bader Al Khafari, who commenting on his first ever yacht race, said: “It was interesting and challenging and the rough sea made it tough but we made it, enjoyed it, and achieved a top result. It was all down to teamwork. I enjoyed being part of it and actually helped sail the boat, including a stint at the helm.” EFG Bank (Monaco) team demonstrated their tactical skill once again to secure their third leg win of the 2015 EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour. The Royal Navy of Oman announced the team’s retirement from the race after leg 4 due to extensive boat damage. Salma Al Hashmi, Director of Marketing and Events at Oman Sail said, “Today we have seen exactly why EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour is gaining momentum. The variety of challenges, the high level of sailing skill, and the capability of talented young sailors from this region on board local boats, is connecting people around the region with a shared cultural maritime heritage. EFG Sailing Arabia - The Tour 2015 is signalling a new era for sailing in the Middle East. The focus is on nurturing talent and giving experiences to the next generation, while also teaching valuable life skills like teamwork, confidence and responsibility to work together and succeed. The race has captured imagination of competitors and the public who can see the possibilities that sailing can offer.”
A fantastic performance resulted in a second-place for the Zain Sailing Team in leg 3 of the Tour
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Wind in our sails Leg 5 – 60 nautical miles, February 24, Abu Dhabi – Doha The Zain Sailing Team surprised many during their debut at this year’s EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour. With just one leg of the race remaining, and two impressive second place finishes already secured in the third and fourth legs, the Zain Team continued to showcase their talents in the most challenging leg of the race so far. The leg 5 route from Abu Dhabi to Doha saw blustery winds and tough waves for the teams with Zain Team finishing sixth. The multinational team has been growing in confidence and skill through each additional leg of the race. The leg was again won by EFG Bank, edging closer to defending their With just one leg of the race remaining, and two impressive second place finishes already secured in the third and fourth legs, the Zain Sailing Team continued to showcase their talents in leg 5
EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour title. For Zain, their sailing aspirations extend far beyond this race and the company aims to mirror Tour organiser Oman Sail’s achievements in the Sultanate by following its successful formula and powerful vision to rekindle its maritime heritage. Just before setting off on the challenging 60 nautical-mile leg, Zain Vice Chairman and enthusiastic sailor Bader Al Khafari said, “We have gained some great momentum during the course of this race, and I am really pleased with how we are working as a team and as individuals within that team.”
Michael Miller has also been impressed with Zain’s performance so far. Commenting before leg 5, he said: “Every time we go out on the water we surprise ourselves. We’ve been able to handle the manoeuvres well, and the team has developed this incredible will to win. It is amazing. I really hope this is the start of a long association with the Tour for Zain as we’ve done so much better than expected. Zain is very keen to promote the values of sailing and the cultural legacy of the sport in Kuwait. We need to build on our participation this year to increase the reach of sailing across the region.”
Victory at last – Teamwork pays off Leg 6 – 90 nautical miles, February 27, Doha - Manama The Zain Sailing Team won the sixth and final leg of the Oman Sail-organised EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2015. The team managed to take the lead during the night on the windy, 90 nautical mile-leg from Doha, and engaged in a tough battle with Team Averda in the closing stages. Team Averda took the lead for a period of time, but some smart moves by Zain Sailing Team put them ahead and they crossed the finish line off Bahrain in first place, completing the course in 18 hours, 31 minutes. Zain’s win on this leg also shifted them up the rankings to a podium position at third place overall. Cédric Pouligny commented: “We are really happy. Happy for the team and happy
for Zain, our sponsors, too. Our speed was not so good at the start in the big winds but when the wind started to die we improved. The teamwork was good because we fought hard during the night, had good boat speed and managed to read the wind shifts well. We are truly delighted.” After the race, the organisers held a closing ceremony and prize-giving at The Dragon Hotel & Resort under the patronage of Sheikh Khalifa bin Abdullah Al Khalifa President of the Arab Sailing Federation, and President of Bahrain Maritime Sports Association and H.E. Abdullah Rashid Al Medailwi, Oman’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain. David Graham, CEO of Oman Sail,
organisers of EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour, reflected on an incredible exhibition of sailing prowess. He said: “Calling at eight of the region’s world-class marinas, sailors from around the world have gone head-to-head and faced a unique sailing challenge. Covering over 760 nautical miles in 15 days, my congratulations go to all of the competitors who have shown determination, mental strength and a high level of sailing skill even when their bodies must be aching and their minds are tired. EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour showcases the potential of the Middle East as a high-end tourist destination, and illustrates the capability of this region to host magnificent events.”
Teams and overall results: 1. EFG 12 pts 2. Team Averda 21.25pts 3. Zain 29.50pts 4. Delft Challenge 29.75pts 5. Renaissance 39pts 6. Al Thuraya 41.75pts 7. Bienne Voile 42.75pts 8. GAC Pindar - Powered by Dongfeng 44.50pts 9. OMIFCO 64pts 10. RNO 69pts 11. IMCO 70.25pts
The Zain Sailing Team won the sixth and final leg of the Tour 2015, shifting them up the rankings to a podium position third place overall
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The 2015 EFG Sailing Arabia - The Tour in pictures
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The 2015 EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour race enjoyed widespread international media coverage, as did the Zain team’s successful participation in the race
Al Jaridah 2nd March, 2015
Kuwait Times 8th February, 2015
Times of Oman 8th February, 2015
Al Watan 23rd March, 2015
Muscat Daily 8th February, 2015
Arab Times 23rd March, 2015
Al Seyassah 9th February, 2015
Arab Times 2nd March, 2015
Al Anbaa 9th February, 2015
The Week 5th March, 2015 Times of Oman 18th February, 2015
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Sailing forward together
Teamwork leads to smooth sailing and success. The Zain race crew takes 3rd place in the 2015 EFG Sailing Arabia ''The Tour Competition'', the Gulf region’s leading offshore race. In partnership with global technology provider Huawei and global law firm Clifford Chance, we at Zain celebrate our third place in the prestigious sailing event. It just goes to show that with enthusiastic partners and teamwork, the journey to a wonderful world can’t be smoother.
Bader Al Kharafi (seated left) believes that foresight, leadership, credibility and competence are but some traits that are essential for a captain to command his team forward
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y recent sailing adventure with Zain’s admirable team has given me and the participants a grander perception of the importance of teamwork. My experience in the race was met with a lot of hard work and determination. I have witnessed through an all new perspective just how dependent the success of the team is on the way it’s operated and managed. Team work is as essential in sailing as it is within a company’s workforce. The right leadership coupled with a proper hierarchy is vital to the performance of both companies and sailing teams in strikingly similar ways. Being the captain of my own businesses, I was looking forward to be able to put myself in the position of a team player and receive instructions rather than give them. Much like the CEO of a company, the captain of the boat gives the orders to the team and assigns certain members to take on certain duties that the captain deems fit given their respective skills and
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abilities. This recruiting process is crucial to ensure that the right person is chosen for each job and in turn creates efficiency and drives performance. My objective was clear; through strategic teamwork our aim was to excel in the race. This task isn’t as easy as one would presume since winning alone is not the entire purpose; team building was our main focus. In line with what I have learned from business school, a leader is to make sure that his team performs the tactics and strategies he has set but with a commendable level of respect to the rules and ethics that govern us all. Without moral guidance, the structure of any team or company will surely topple with time. It comes as no surprise that Ernesto Bertarelli from the Alinghi team is as triumphant a sailing captain as he is an entrepreneur. The captain has the most demanding job and the qualities that make a good captain are the same attributes that make a good CEO. Foresight, leadership, credibility and competence are but some traits that are essential for a captain to
command his team ahead. The heart and strength of the team, however, comes from the combined individual efforts of all the players. Moreover, the team’s ability to interact with each other professionally and in unity whether it’s in the comfort of the workplace or in the harshest sailing conditions is the key driver to success. I am genuinely pleased with the teamwork in the race and my unforgettable experience has confirmed that the values needed to excel and perform, be it in a race or in a company, are one and the same. Every contributing member of the team plays a pivotal role to its success and with this synergy the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts. Vince Lombardi, the American Football player, wisely noted that “Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”
Bader Nasser Al Kharafi Vice Chairman Zain Group
Together, we overcome the biggest waves. The Zain race crew takes 3rd place in the 2015 EFG Sailing Arabia ''The Tour Competition'', the Gulf region’s leading offshore race. In partnership with global technology provider Huawei and global law firm Clifford Chance, we at Zain celebrate our third place in the prestigious sailing event. It just goes to show that with enthusiastic partners and teamwork, the journey to a wonderful world can’t be smoother.
Charting the EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2015 Commemorating the Zain Team’s success brought to you by Huawei
An extraordinary adventure
CONTENTS Huawei welcome message
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True partnerships are built over time, and that has been an important aspect of Zain’s relationship with Huawei. In fact, Zain has chosen to partner with Huawei since the establishment of Zain’s first 3G mobile network
Exhilaration on water
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During leg 5 the Zain Team continued to showcase their talents in the most challenging leg of the race so far
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Victory at last – Teamwork pays off
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The Zain Sailing Team won the sixth and final leg of the Tour 2015, shifting them up the rankings to a podium position at third place overall
The always-exciting EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour took place for its fifth year February 15-28, 2015 with a total of 11 teams competing in this year’s instalment. A team sponsored by Middle East telco Zain, which partnered with global technology provider Huawei and global law firm Clifford Chance featured prominently in the proceedings
Zain Sailing Team
Wind in our sails
Parting impressions 4
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Zain Vice Chairman, Bader Al Kharafi’s recent sailing adventure with the company’s admirable team has given him and the participants a grander perception of the importance of teamwork
The 12-man team comprised a number of amateur sailors, including Zain Group’s Vice Chairman, Bader Al Kharafi; the Group’s Head of Treasury, Mike Miller; as well as a number of other senior Zain Group representatives
Learning the ropes
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The first leg of the race was highly challenging, covering a distance of 101 nautical miles. The light, fluky winds proved exceptionally taxing and put an emphasis on good tactics and navigation skills
Growing in confidence
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At 172 nautical miles from Sohar to Ras Al Khaimah via the Musandam Peninsula, leg 2 was renowned for its challenges that included a night sail through often windless conditions
Sailing like professionals
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Leg 3 was the shortest of the Tour and arguably the most straightforward, however it did produce fresh winds that reached 22kts
Winning ways
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The fast 60 nautical mile-sprint from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in leg 4 gave the teams a chance to demonstrate their tactical skills, with the Zain Sailing Team racking up its second impressive second-place
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Produced in coordination with Zain Group Corporate Communications Department, [email protected], www.zain.com Images courtesy of www.lloydimages.com june 2012
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An extraordinary adventure
Sailing ahead in a better connected world
How a long-term tie up with Huawei has helped Zain to navigate competitive pressures and steer into an even brighter business horizon
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oday many of us live in a world of amazing advances and limitless possibilities. In that world we do not view connectivity as a privilege, but as a necessity. We also recognise that “alone we can do little, while together we can do so much”. Connecting systems, businesses, cities, societies and people around the globe, Huawei has been a longstanding partner of Zain as both a boat sponsor at the 2015 EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour and as a global leader in information and communication technologies (ICT). Huawei’s telecom network equipment, IT solutions, and smart devices are used in 170 countries and territories worldwide. For the last 15 years Huawei has worked closely with partners across the Middle East to help build a better connected world. Today Huawei Middle East has offices across 10 countries with around 5,000 employees, of whom over 66% are local hires. As in sailing, research and development has been crucial to both Zain’s success and its partnership with Huawei. Every Huawei innovation stems from close interaction with its customers to understand their needs and market demands. Huawei annually invests an average of more than 10% of its total revenue into research and development (R&D) with the company maintaining a total of 28 joint innovation centres worldwide including a joint innovation centre in Kuwait, run in partnership with Zain. True partnerships are built over time, and that has been another important aspect of Zain’s relationship with Huawei. In fact, Zain has chosen to partner with Huawei since the establishment of Zain’s first 3G mobile network. Through a series of consultative, technological, and business partnerships, Huawei has helped Zain welcome in a new era of 4G telecom services. Such advancements have not only brought high-quality services to Zain
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Exhilaration on water The always-exciting EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour took place for its fifth year February 15-28, 2015 with a total of 11 teams representing seven countries and crew members from 21 nationalities competing in this year’s instalment. Crowds gathered on the first day of the race at The Wave, Muscat to join Oman Sail in seeing off the teams for the six legs of sailing over 760 nautical miles, which included a team sponsored by Middle East telco Zain, which partnered with global technology provider Huawei and global law firm Clifford Chance. An incredible adventure lay ahead
True partnerships are built over time, and Huawei’s strong partnership with Zain was clear to witness as their sponsored team powered to a commendable third-place finish overall out of a field of 11
customers, but empowered Zain to be more agile in its business operations. That agility was evident through Zain and Huawei’s participation in the 2015 EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour. The high performance racing yacht sponsored by the two companies—alongside law firm Clifford Chance — was led by two sailing veterans, Cedric Pouligny, the skipper, and Gerald Veniard, the navigator, who are previous winners of the EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour race. For its part, Huawei has been a major supporter of sport across the GCC. Mohamad Sharara, Head of Zain Key Account at Huawei, has reiterated the company’s enthusiasm for this latest partnership with Zain in which the two brands supported the values of cooperation, team work and leadership. “Working closely with partners like Zain, we endeavour to enhance interconnectivity and interactivity around the globe, sparking multitudes of opportunities and potential that can help move the world forward,” concludes Sharara. That agility was evident through Zain and Huawei’s participation in the 2015
EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour. The high performance racing yacht sponsored by the two companies—alongside law firm Clifford Chance — was led by two sailing veterans, Cedric Pouligny, the skipper, and Gerald Veniard, the navigator, who are previous winners of the EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour race. Huawei recognises the efforts of Zain Group’s Vice Chairman, Bader Al Kharafi and Group Treasurer, Mike Miller in facilitating the success of the Zain Sailing Team. For its part, Huawei has been a major supporter of sport across the GCC. Mohamad Sharara, Head of Zain Key Account at Huawei, has reiterated the company’s enthusiasm for this latest partnership with Zain in which the two brands supported the values of cooperation, team work and leadership. “Working closely with partners like Zain, we endeavour to enhance interconnectivity and interactivity around the globe, sparking multitudes of opportunities and potential that can help move the world forward,” concludes Sharara.
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FG Sailing Arabia – The Tour incorporates some of the most demanding offshore sailing and exciting in-port races. It is devised to test the skills of some of world’s best sailors, including a mix of elite regional and international sailors alongside young sailing talent making their Tour debut. The organisers of the event, Oman Sail, are looking to rekindle the region’s maritime heritage through high-level competitive sailing. The 12-man team sponsored by Zain Group, Huawei, and Clifford Chance, for example, comprised a number of amateur sailors, including Zain Group’s Vice Chairman, Bader Al Kharafi; the Group’s Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer, Emre Gurkan; as well as a number of other senior Zain Group representatives. The amateurs were ably directed and guided by more experienced sailors who included Mike Miller, a member of Zain Group’s Kuwait-based Finance team; Cedric Pouligny, the skipper; and Gerald Veniard, the navigator, both of whom are previous winners of the EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour race. The sponsored racing yacht was a high-performance ‘Farr 30’, and the 11 teams constituted the strongest and largest field ever assembled for the race.
The fleet of racing yachts made their way from Muscat to Sohar in Oman, and around the Musandam Peninsula to the UAE and Qatar, before finishing in Bahrain. The race also featured in-port races at the Four Seasons Marina in Doha, and threw up a number of unique challenges. The traditional route of the race was reversed in 2015, for example, with a new starting
point, creating a more exacting test for the boats and crews in the form of strong and sustained headwinds in the early stages. The Zain Sailing Team performed extremely well to achieve two secondplaced finishes and a first-place position in three of the six legs, on course to an overall third-placed finish, in competition with much more experienced crews.
The route of the 2015 EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour race
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Zain Sailing Team
of most sail change manoeuvres. It was Mike’s keenness in all aspects of the race that was critical in Zain success.
Emre Gurkan
Salah was responsible for controlling the foresail and the spinnaker, to maximise the boat speed at all times.
Majed Hashem Majed, who is Egyptian, works in the Legal department at Zain Group in Kuwait. He is one of the Group’s longest standing employees, having joined the company in 2003. He stepped onto a sailing yacht for the first time ever during the warm up training in Muscat just ahead of the start of the SATT. He stood up really well to the challenges of the race, sharing his experiences with his young daughter back at home. On the boat, Majed worked with Salah to manage the huge and unwieldy spinnaker.
the dramatic look of the boat, and more importantly, it was his energy that sowed the seeds and drove the unprecedented exposure of the team in print and social media. He was onsite at the stop overs, taking photos, and pushing the organisers’ media team to deliver for the sailing team.
Freddie Miller
Charbel El Mir Emre is Zain Group’s Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer, responsible for formulating and delivering the necessary plans to take the company forwards. He joined Zain two years ago, following an impressive career in the telecom industry and as a management consultant. Emre is Turkish, and owns his own 50-foot yacht, which he cruises every summer in the Mediterranean. He was a key part of the team during the early legs of the race, crewing at the “mast’.
Malik Marafie
The 12-man Zain Sailing Team comprised individuals of various sailing experience, and yet they were able to pull together for a highly successful showing in the race. L-R -Standing: Charbel El Mir, Bader Al Kharafi, Malik Marafie, Majed Hashem, Mike Miller. L-R-Sitting: Salah Abdulrahim, Cedric Pouligny, Gerard Veniard
Bader Al Kharafi Mr. Al Kharafi is the Vice-Chairman of Zain Group as well as a leading business figure in Kuwait and across the region, sitting on many corporate boards and heavily involved in supporting the capacity building of youth across the region. As the main supporter and driving force behind Zain’s participation of the 2015 EFG Sailing Arabia-The Tour (SATT), he really understood and saw the teambuilding and leadership development potential of the Zain sailing team. He appreciated
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the challenges it set for the participants, from overcoming the tough weather and constant wind changes, to dealing with the pressure-cooker intensity of racing against some world famous professional sailing teams. A Kuwaiti national, Mr. Al Kharafi regularly sails on his own Hobie-16 high-performance catamaran.
Mike Miller Mike, a British national, was the architect of Zain’s participation in the Sailing Arabia Tour 2015. As the team’s leader,
he brought together all the crew and organised all the logistics. Mike works in the Zain Group Finance team, based in Kuwait, where he leads the Group Treasury function. He has been with Zain Group for over six years. Mike has been a sailor since childhood, sailing dinghies and larger yachts. He owns his own yacht, which he helms and races regularly. Mike used his weight in the engine room of the boat – the ‘Pit” – where his strength and stamina was needed to raise and lower the sails, the focal point
Charbel, is Lebanese, and is a Manager in Zain’s innovative Wholesale Networks Group, based in Kuwait. He only recently joined Zain, four months before the start of the SATT. As the second novice on the crew, Charbel needed to learn fast and adapt to the demands of a modern racing yacht in cold and stormy weather. As the ‘Mainsheet trimmer”, Charbel had to work closely with the helmsman, controlling the boat’s principal driving sail.
Rukesh Sharda
Malik, a Kuwaiti national, is the head of Mr. Bader Al Kharafi’s executive team. He has been with Zain for three years, building on a solid career as a banking executive. He is a regular crew member with Bader on the Hobie 16, but has only limited experience on yachts. Sailing on the middle legs of the event, Malik was the ‘guy trimmer’, helping to gybe the spinnaker and tough it out on ‘the rail’.
Cedric Pouligny, the Skipper, & Gerald Veniard the Navigator
Salah Abdulrahim Salah, a Bahraini, is a Manager in Zain Bahrain, where he is head of the ISP and IT department. He joined Zain Bahrain in 2011 following a career in IT and technology in Australia. While in Australia, he sailed regularly, as crew on a racing yacht. As the “trimmer”,
Freddie, Mike Miller’s son, is an accomplished sailor in his own right. An 18 year-old secondary school pupil, Freddie has been sailing and racing dinghies for over 10 years. He is captain of his school sailing team, and is a regular racing and cruising crew member on his father’s yacht. As the “foredeck” on the boat, Freddie was at the heart of most of the more complicated sail-changing manoeuvres. He was also the first change substitute helmsman, charged with driving the boat and maintaining boat speed.
Rukesh, a Kenyan national, manages sponsorship and events at Zain Group and is responsible for activating Zain’s brand at events. He was the man behind
Cedric Pouligny, the skipper, and Gerald Veniard, the navigator, are previous winners of the SATT race. Between them these two veterans of the sport have competed in this sailing race in virtually every year since its establishment, and are both highly accomplished offshore sailors, with numerous Transat races, Tour de France a la Voile, and Route du Rhum achievements to their credit.
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Learning the ropes Leg 1 – 101 nautical miles, February 16, Muscat - Sohar Sailing Arabia – The Tour was first launched by Oman Sail in 2011 as a regional off-shore race that provides a platform for all the GCC nations to showcase their tourism potential as well as a tool to rekindle the mutual Gulf maritime heritage by offering a winter racing venue. The race not only exposes the beauty of the stunning Arabian coast, but also reconnects the region with the sea through sport. It was originally created as an alternative Middle East event to the well-known Tour de France à la Voile, and since inception, it has attracted some of the world’s best sailing talent, and made Oman and the GCC a sought-after winter venue in the international sailing calendar. Alongside this mission is the integral objective of promoting sailing as an accessible, healthy, and economically beneficial sport to local people and enterprises. With some of the finest facilities in the region being showcased, and the use of the Farr 30 One Design class
The Zain team performed reasonably well in the first leg, finishing 7th, an encouraging learning curve for the amateur team’s first ever race together
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as the platform for the race, EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour will continue to act as an inspirational event for GCC sailors; and with role models such as the all-female team entered into the race, EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2015 is well-positioned to plant the seed of sailing firmly in the imagination of a new generation of local young people, and set the scene for the wider renaissance of sailing in the region The first leg of the race was highly challenging, covering a distance of 101 nautical miles. The light, fluky winds proved exceptionally taxing and put an emphasis on good tactics and navigation skills. The Tour reigning champions EFG Bank (Monaco) won the first leg, leading from the early stages of the race from Muscat, Oman and managed to retain their lead to the finish. Commenting on their win, EFG Bank’s skipper Sidney Gavignet said: “It is a great advantage to be first because we
have more time to rest. It was a difficult leg for sure, but it all went to plan and the wind did what was expected. It was challenging because as always in those conditions, is difficult to keep up the momentum. I have to say, I am very, very happy with the team who are working well together. It is a good start and puts us in a good place for the next leg.” The Zain team performed reasonably well finishing 7th, an excellent learning curve for the amateur team’s first ever race together. Commenting on the race, Mike Miller said, “It was a great thrill for all the team to finish in 7th place. Although we struggled in this tough leg, we will build on this experience and our aim is to keep on improving and hopefully finish in the top five overall.” Once ashore, the sleep-deprived sailors, and guests were treated to a lavish, traditional Omani welcoming ceremony laid on by hosts of the first stopover, International Maritime College Oman.
The Zain Sailing Team led leg 2 for a substantial period in the early stages of the race and looked to be a real threat
Growing in confidence Leg 2 – 172 nautical miles, February 17, Sohar – RAK At 172 nautical miles from Sohar to Ras Al Khaimah via the Musandam Peninsula, this leg is renowned for its challenges that include a night sail through often windless conditions in an area strewn with fishing nets, and anchored ships, and strong currents. This year was no exception, and as hard as they tried, the race committee had no
race is a significant achievement. The team from Delft University of Technology, sailing Delft Challenge won leg 2. Wouter Sonnema, the skipper said: “It is great to have won in this competitive fleet. We were in the lead for a long time but we didn’t know it. Our navigation and tactics worked out well and we were in first place when it counted, going through the gate, so we are extremely pleased with the result.” At 172 nautical miles from Sohar to Ras Al Khaimah One of the most impressive via the Musandam Peninsula, leg 2 was renowned teams on the second leg was Zain for its challenges that included a night sail Sailing Team headed by seasoned Tour competitor Cédric Pouligny with Gérald Véniard on navigation. They led for a substantial period in the early stages of the race and looked to be a real threat. Although Team Zain ended up seventh, they were naturally pleased with their performance. Mike Miller commented: “It was a great two days and I think we surprised ourselves. It was tough although we managed to sleep. The most exciting bit was when we ran out of wind trying to go through a gap between the island and the mainland at the top of the Peninsula. We actually got swept back with the tide not once but twice.”
option but to shorten the course at Gate 1, two nautical miles before the narrow passage, into the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the shortened course, the leg was noted for its extremely close racing, which faces changeable conditions in the Gulf of Oman, up the eastern side of the Peninsula. To complete this demanding leg in the ultra-competitive
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Sailing like professionals Leg 3 – 53 nautical miles, February 19, RAK – Dubai At 53 nautical miles from Ras Al Khaimah to Dubai, this was the shortest leg of the Tour and arguably the most straightforward. It did however, produce fresh winds that reached 22kts; the most the fleet had experienced that week. It was also shifty, which resulted in plenty of place changing, particularly in the closing stages. The EFG Bank (Monaco) won leg 3 adding another first place to their leg 1 and first inport race victory,
which strengthened their overall position at the head of the fleet. A fantastic performance resulted in a second-place for the Zain Sailing Team. The result was extra impressive given the fact that so many crew are enthusiastic novices, and Zain team’s Cédric Pouligny commented: “We had a good battle and it was really full-on from the start. I think we sailed pretty well in terms of navigation and did our best. The team is improving really well.”
During their stay at the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, the 11 teams were scheduled to take part in a second inport race. Racing would have incorporated a windward/leeward course just off the club, with the backdrop Dubai’s dramatic skyline of high-rise buildings and appealing architecture. However, due to severe weather conditions, which included an on-land sand storm that severely reduced visibility, this event had to be cancelled.
Winning ways Leg 4 – 60 nautical miles, February 23, Dubai - Abu Dhabi The Zain Sailing Team commented that leg 4 was challenging and the rough sea made conditions even more difficult
The fast 60 nautical mile-sprint from Dubai to Abu Dhabi gave the teams a chance to demonstrate their tactical skills, with the Zain Sailing Team racking up its second impressive second-place for this leg of the Tour. The crew for this leg also included Zain Group’s Bader Al Khafari, who commenting on his first ever yacht race, said: “It was interesting and challenging and the rough sea made it tough but we made it, enjoyed it, and achieved a top result. It was all down to teamwork. I enjoyed being part of it and actually helped sail the boat, including a stint at the helm.” EFG Bank (Monaco) team demonstrated their tactical skill once again to secure their third leg win of the 2015 EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour. The Royal Navy of Oman announced the team’s retirement from the race after leg 4 due to extensive boat damage. Salma Al Hashmi, Director of Marketing and Events at Oman Sail said, “Today we have seen exactly why EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour is gaining momentum. The variety of challenges, the high level of sailing skill, and the capability of talented young sailors from this region on board local boats, is connecting people around the region with a shared cultural maritime heritage. EFG Sailing Arabia - The Tour 2015 is signalling a new era for sailing in the Middle East. The focus is on nurturing talent and giving experiences to the next generation, while also teaching valuable life skills like teamwork, confidence and responsibility to work together and succeed. The race has captured imagination of competitors and the public who can see the possibilities that sailing can offer.”
A fantastic performance resulted in a second-place for the Zain Sailing Team in leg 3 of the Tour
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Wind in our sails Leg 5 – 60 nautical miles, February 24, Abu Dhabi – Doha The Zain Sailing Team surprised many during their debut at this year’s EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour. With just one leg of the race remaining, and two impressive second place finishes already secured in the third and fourth legs, the Zain Team continued to showcase their talents in the most challenging leg of the race so far. The leg 5 route from Abu Dhabi to Doha saw blustery winds and tough waves for the teams with Zain Team finishing sixth. The multinational team has been growing in confidence and skill through each additional leg of the race. The leg was again won by EFG Bank, edging closer to defending their With just one leg of the race remaining, and two impressive second place finishes already secured in the third and fourth legs, the Zain Sailing Team continued to showcase their talents in leg 5
EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour title. For Zain, their sailing aspirations extend far beyond this race and the company aims to mirror Tour organiser Oman Sail’s achievements in the Sultanate by following its successful formula and powerful vision to rekindle its maritime heritage. Just before setting off on the challenging 60 nautical-mile leg, Zain Vice Chairman and enthusiastic sailor Bader Al Khafari said, “We have gained some great momentum during the course of this race, and I am really pleased with how we are working as a team and as individuals within that team.”
Michael Miller has also been impressed with Zain’s performance so far. Commenting before leg 5, he said: “Every time we go out on the water we surprise ourselves. We’ve been able to handle the manoeuvres well, and the team has developed this incredible will to win. It is amazing. I really hope this is the start of a long association with the Tour for Zain as we’ve done so much better than expected. Zain is very keen to promote the values of sailing and the cultural legacy of the sport in Kuwait. We need to build on our participation this year to increase the reach of sailing across the region.”
Victory at last – Teamwork pays off Leg 6 – 90 nautical miles, February 27, Doha - Manama The Zain Sailing Team won the sixth and final leg of the Oman Sail-organised EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2015. The team managed to take the lead during the night on the windy, 90 nautical mile-leg from Doha, and engaged in a tough battle with Team Averda in the closing stages. Team Averda took the lead for a period of time, but some smart moves by Zain Sailing Team put them ahead and they crossed the finish line off Bahrain in first place, completing the course in 18 hours, 31 minutes. Zain’s win on this leg also shifted them up the rankings to a podium position at third place overall. Cédric Pouligny commented: “We are really happy. Happy for the team and happy
for Zain, our sponsors, too. Our speed was not so good at the start in the big winds but when the wind started to die we improved. The teamwork was good because we fought hard during the night, had good boat speed and managed to read the wind shifts well. We are truly delighted.” After the race, the organisers held a closing ceremony and prize-giving at The Dragon Hotel & Resort under the patronage of Sheikh Khalifa bin Abdullah Al Khalifa President of the Arab Sailing Federation, and President of Bahrain Maritime Sports Association and H.E. Abdullah Rashid Al Medailwi, Oman’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain. David Graham, CEO of Oman Sail,
organisers of EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour, reflected on an incredible exhibition of sailing prowess. He said: “Calling at eight of the region’s world-class marinas, sailors from around the world have gone head-to-head and faced a unique sailing challenge. Covering over 760 nautical miles in 15 days, my congratulations go to all of the competitors who have shown determination, mental strength and a high level of sailing skill even when their bodies must be aching and their minds are tired. EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour showcases the potential of the Middle East as a high-end tourist destination, and illustrates the capability of this region to host magnificent events.”
Teams and overall results: 1. EFG 12 pts 2. Team Averda 21.25pts 3. Zain 29.50pts 4. Delft Challenge 29.75pts 5. Renaissance 39pts 6. Al Thuraya 41.75pts 7. Bienne Voile 42.75pts 8. GAC Pindar - Powered by Dongfeng 44.50pts 9. OMIFCO 64pts 10. RNO 69pts 11. IMCO 70.25pts
The Zain Sailing Team won the sixth and final leg of the Tour 2015, shifting them up the rankings to a podium position third place overall
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The 2015 EFG Sailing Arabia - The Tour in pictures
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The 2015 EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour race enjoyed widespread international media coverage, as did the Zain team’s successful participation in the race
Al Jaridah 2nd March, 2015
Kuwait Times 8th February, 2015
Times of Oman 8th February, 2015
Al Watan 23rd March, 2015
Muscat Daily 8th February, 2015
Arab Times 23rd March, 2015
Al Seyassah 9th February, 2015
Arab Times 2nd March, 2015
Al Anbaa 9th February, 2015
The Week 5th March, 2015 Times of Oman 18th February, 2015
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Sailing forward together
Teamwork leads to smooth sailing and success. The Zain race crew takes 3rd place in the 2015 EFG Sailing Arabia ''The Tour Competition'', the Gulf region’s leading offshore race. In partnership with global technology provider Huawei and global law firm Clifford Chance, we at Zain celebrate our third place in the prestigious sailing event. It just goes to show that with enthusiastic partners and teamwork, the journey to a wonderful world can’t be smoother.
Bader Al Kharafi (seated left) believes that foresight, leadership, credibility and competence are but some traits that are essential for a captain to command his team forward
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y recent sailing adventure with Zain’s admirable team has given me and the participants a grander perception of the importance of teamwork. My experience in the race was met with a lot of hard work and determination. I have witnessed through an all new perspective just how dependent the success of the team is on the way it’s operated and managed. Team work is as essential in sailing as it is within a company’s workforce. The right leadership coupled with a proper hierarchy is vital to the performance of both companies and sailing teams in strikingly similar ways. Being the captain of my own businesses, I was looking forward to be able to put myself in the position of a team player and receive instructions rather than give them. Much like the CEO of a company, the captain of the boat gives the orders to the team and assigns certain members to take on certain duties that the captain deems fit given their respective skills and
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abilities. This recruiting process is crucial to ensure that the right person is chosen for each job and in turn creates efficiency and drives performance. My objective was clear; through strategic teamwork our aim was to excel in the race. This task isn’t as easy as one would presume since winning alone is not the entire purpose; team building was our main focus. In line with what I have learned from business school, a leader is to make sure that his team performs the tactics and strategies he has set but with a commendable level of respect to the rules and ethics that govern us all. Without moral guidance, the structure of any team or company will surely topple with time. It comes as no surprise that Ernesto Bertarelli from the Alinghi team is as triumphant a sailing captain as he is an entrepreneur. The captain has the most demanding job and the qualities that make a good captain are the same attributes that make a good CEO. Foresight, leadership, credibility and competence are but some traits that are essential for a captain to
command his team ahead. The heart and strength of the team, however, comes from the combined individual efforts of all the players. Moreover, the team’s ability to interact with each other professionally and in unity whether it’s in the comfort of the workplace or in the harshest sailing conditions is the key driver to success. I am genuinely pleased with the teamwork in the race and my unforgettable experience has confirmed that the values needed to excel and perform, be it in a race or in a company, are one and the same. Every contributing member of the team plays a pivotal role to its success and with this synergy the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts. Vince Lombardi, the American Football player, wisely noted that “Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”
Bader Nasser Al Kharafi Vice Chairman Zain Group
Together, we overcome the biggest waves. The Zain race crew takes 3rd place in the 2015 EFG Sailing Arabia ''The Tour Competition'', the Gulf region’s leading offshore race. In partnership with global technology provider Huawei and global law firm Clifford Chance, we at Zain celebrate our third place in the prestigious sailing event. It just goes to show that with enthusiastic partners and teamwork, the journey to a wonderful world can’t be smoother.
