Xavier Bouin's Tan 3 crossing the line of arrival in Mascate

Two French flag ships have claimed the lead in the 33 Aramex Dubai to Muscat Race. Xavier Bouin's Tan 3 was the first to reach Mascate, followed only 16 minutes and 4 seconds by Julien's Heaven Can Wait Monie after an exciting three-day chase along 360 nautical miles from Dubai.

Beneteau First 53 Heaven Can Wait, armed by Julien Monie and patronized by Darren Sheppard

For Heaven Can Wait, the Beneteau First 53 patrolled by Darren Sheppard, the race had been a battle of wear. Near Musandam, the ship was diverted between 20-kt rachas and its spinnaker paid the price, as its pattern would comment: "The spi disintegrated. It was pretty disappointing. We sailed without him for 10 miles to the strait, which obviously hurt us."

They fell to the eleventh position in the water. But the crew, most of whose members had never sailed together before, remained faithful to their plan and fought to remount between the fleet. At the door of Sohar there were 1 hour and 5 minutes behind the Tan 3; at the door of Jazirat Fahl, that difference had been reduced to 33 minutes; in the goal they were separated only 16.