Record Fleet Set for 33rd Aramex Dubai to Muscat Sail Race

Dubai, UAE – Saturday, 02 January 2026:

A record-breaking fleet will set sail this Saturday from the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (DOSC) as 33 boats line up for the 33rd edition of the Aramex Dubai to Muscat Offshore Sailing Race (D2M), the longest and most demanding offshore race in the region.

Covering 360 nautical miles, the race is regarded as a true endurance test for sailors, combining tactical navigation, physical resilience and strategic decision-making. The fleet will travel from the shallow, complex waters of the Arabian Gulf, through the heavily trafficked Strait of Hormuz, before entering the deep swells of the Indian Ocean en route to the finish at Marina Bandar Al Rowdha in Muscat, Oman.

For navigators, the D2M is as much a mental marathon as  a physical one. The narrow channels of the Strait of Hormuz present one of the most challenging sections of the course, demanding constant vigilance for commercial shipping, including supertankers, while battling shifting winds, strong currents and fatigue caused by sleep deprivation.

Race Director David Worrall highlighted the significance of this year’s entry list: “We’ve seen a major surge in interest, with 33 boats confirmed — the largest fleet in the race’s history. This is the longest offshore challenge in the region, and we’re working to establish it as a true bucket-list event on the international offshore sailing calendar.”

A Diverse and Competitive Fleet

The 2026 entry showcases the growing depth and diversity of offshore sailing in the Gulf. The fleet includes high-performance IRC keelboats, doublehanded teams, and a strong multihull division, ensuring close competition across multiple classes.

Hamad Al Mutawaa, competing aboard El Seraya, described the enduring appeal of the race: “Dubai to Muscat is a proper offshore test. You face pressure, traffic, currents and changing winds — you earn every mile. That’s what makes crossing the finish line in Muscat so rewarding.”

The Race Behind the Race

Title sponsor Aramex continues to play a vital role in supporting the event, particularly in managing the complex cross-border logistics that come with an international offshore race.

Daniel Nuss, Global Marketing Director at Aramex, said: “This race reflects the ambition, teamwork and performance that define Aramex. It demonstrates how strong logistics and collaboration can elevate sporting excellence and inspire the next generation across the region.”

Records, Strategy and Human Endurance

As skippers monitor long-range weather forecasts, anticipation is building. The powerful tides and wave conditions in the Strait of Hormuz remain among the race’s most formidable obstacles, alongside numerous navigational hazards between Dubai and Muscat.

The standing race record of 1 day, 19 hours, 52 minutes and 41 seconds, set by Diablo in 2014, remains a tough benchmark. Whether conditions in 2026 will allow a new record to be set remains uncertain.

Sian Rowlands, who previously competed as part of the race’s first all-female doublehanded crew, returns this year aboard Twister alongside her brother-in-law Matt Britton: “The Dubai to Muscat race is never just about speed. It’s about judgement. Fatigue, traffic and changing conditions test decision-making, especially at 3am. The teams that win are the ones who stay sharp when it matters most.”

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