fbpx

First 44CUP event won by Ceeref

The fleet of RC44s is always highly competitive, with high-performance owner-drivers, pro-am crews and intense racing. The first 44Cup event of the 2023 season was in Oman and hosted out of Muscat’s Al Mouj Marina by Oman Sail. Igor Lah’s Doyle-powered RC44 Ceeref POWERED BY HRASTNIK 1860 is no stranger to being at the front of the pack and took the lead by one point going into the final race, ultimately finishing in the top spot for act one.

“I feel really good!” said Igor Lah of his victory. “Today was like a new day. We knew that we could do it and we did it. We have to come back to Oman!” 

Doyle Sails UK expert Adrian Stead, is Tactician onboard Lah’s yacht, and observed: “You have to bear in mind in this fleet, it is so easy to come first or ninth – everyone is so good. No one gives you an inch. If you mess up the start and miss the first two shifts, you are at the back, and then there are gold medallists, AC sailors, and everyone to get past.”

The globally renowned Doyle Sails design team, including well-respected Spanish sailor, Jordi Calafat, have worked closely with the RC44 owners and sailing teams to form a vital feedback loop to ensure that what sailors see on the water is being accounted for in various design iterations, ultimately delivering more power and speed with every sail.

Onboard Peninsula Racing, was newly recruited Spanish sailing star and Doyle Sails expert – former 470 gold medallist and America’s Cup winner – Jordi Calafat to trim main this season. For Calafat, this was his first ever 44Cup race, “The boat is very good. It is fun to learn how it works, and it is great fun racing. It is especially a fast downwind boat. The conditions have been excellent. I am really enjoying it.” According to Calafat, their success in today’s first race came from successfully managing to get to the top mark despite a very tight lay line. “In that case, you can easily be first or sixth…”.

The next 44Cup event will be Marstrand, Sweden over 28 June-2 July.

44Cup Oman Overall Results: (12 races)

1. Team Ceeref powered by Hrastnik 1860 – 1 6 1 1 4 6 5 2 5 2 2 6 – 41pts
2. Charisma 2 3 5 3 1 2 4 1 3 4 8 7 – 43pts
3. Aleph Racing – 4 4 2 7 7 1 3 4 7 3 3 1 (2) 48pts
4. Peninsula Racing – 5 2 3 5 2 5 1 8 8 1 4 5 – 49pts
5. Team Nika – 6 7 10 2 3 3 8 6 1 6 1 3 (2) – 58pts
6. Artemis Racing – 3 5 7 4 6 7 2 3 4 5 5 8 – 59pts
7. Team Aqua – 8 1 4 9 5 4 6 7 2 7 7 2 (2) – 64pts
8. Black Star Sailing Team – 7 8 6 8 8 8 7 5 6 8 6 4 – 81pts
9. Oman Sail – 9 9 8 6 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 – 104pts

ABOUT DOYLE SAILS // Around the world, Doyle Sails has over 500 sailmakers in 46 different locations, all equally passionate about sailing – living and breathing our ethos ’Global Leaders and Local Experts.’

As sailors, our obsession with sailing connects us to the water. The water is our playground, a sanctuary where we seek enjoyment, a competitive playing field where we race as competitors; it’s sometimes our home and always a place that unlocks our sense of adventure wherever that adventure might take us. Behind every adventure is a Doyle sailor who shares this same obsession as you. We put your journey at the very heart of what we do to deliver the ultimate enjoyment and performance, powering our constant need to push the boundaries in sail design and innovation, to reimagine sailing.

From dinghies, club racers and cruising yachts through to Grand Prix campaigns and Superyachts, we are your experts. Meet our team here.

Scroll to Top