GC32 Championship Muscat - Oman 2017 27 February - 5 March Venue information pack Organising Authority Host Venue
Venue location Technical Area Next to Al Mouj Marina GC32 & RIB Berthing at Al Mouj Marina Holiday Inn Muscat Al Seeb Hotel Muscat Al Seeb International Airport
Technical area location CRANE Technical Area Al Mouj Marina Oman Sail HQ TECHNICAL AREA 2017 Address: Al Mouj Marina, Al Mouj, Muscat, PC118
Technical area map
Visa information Entry requirements For most nationalities it is not necessary to get a visa before travelling to Oman, as you can buy your visa upon arrival at the Travelex Foreign Exchange bureau located in the immigration arrivals hall, payments can be accepted in most currencies or by credit card, an automatic receipt will be issued to the traveller, this receipt is then presented at the immigration desk. If, however, you are not from a country in List A, you will need to contact Cat Platts. Passengers with entry visas deposited at the airport, should collect their visa from the Oman Air Visa Collection Counter. A one-month tourist visa costs 20 Omani Rials (OMR). If you re staying in Oman for less than 10 days you can get a tourist visa on entry for OMR 5. Passport validity Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Oman. For more information: http://www.rop.gov.om/english/dg_pr_visas_tourist.asp
Documentation required VHF radios and broadcast equipment in Oman VHF radios and broadcast equipment are not allowed in Oman so please contact Ibolya Bereczki at GAC Pindar if you wish to bring this into the country, she will be able to help you with any questions you may have or documentation that will need to be obtained. Please make sure you do not carry any radios with you when you travel unless you have a licence, or they will be confiscated at the airport. Media Equipment permits for journalists, photographers etc. All people carrying professional photo/film recording or radio equipment need to send the detailed list to Cat Platts, by the 1st February, in order to obtain an approval letter from airport security. Without this letter, journalists/photographers will NOT be able to enter the country with their equipment. The list must be itemised and include all of their photo/film material (eg. cameras, pelican cases etc) as well as smaller items such as memory card, wires or chargers. This list must include each item per case, serial number of each item, country of manufacture, weight and value. Please also include the following details: - Name / Nationality - Passport Copy - Passport number - Flight Number - Flight Arrival time / Departure time
Accommodation - Preferential rates With the GC32 Championships fast approaching we are advising everyone to book accommodation as soon as possible. If you wish to stay at The Holiday Inn Muscat Al Seeb (4*) we have managed to secure preferential rates for sailing teams, rates are: Standard single: OMR 65 Standard double: OMR 65 Please note, the above rate is per room, per night, and includes government taxes and is inclusive of buffet breakfast at Omede Restaurant, located in the hotel. Holiday Inn Muscat Al Seeb Hotel. Address: Al Mawaleh South, Muscat 130, Oman/almawalih aljanubiatu, masqat 130, saltanat eamman Phone: +968 22 080555 The hotel has great facilities which include a gym, swimming pool, spa, good wifi, and a bar. You can contact Tarek Haroun from the The Holiday Inn directly for more information, please quote GC32 Championships or Extreme Sailing Series when making your enquiry.
Event schedule Date Time Event Location Friday 24 th February 10.00 18.00 Measurement, sail declaration, crew registration / weighing Saturday 25 th February 10.00 18.00 Measurement, sail declaration, crew registration / weighing Sunday 26 th February 10.00 18.00 18.00 Monday 27 th February 10.00 13.00 18.30 Tuesday 28 th February 10.00 13.00 Wednesday 1 st March 10.00 13.00 Thursday 2 nd March Friday 3 rd March 10.00 13.00 Saturday 4 th March 10.00 13.00 Sunday 5 th March 10.00 13.00 19.00 Measurement & Registration, sail declaration, crew registration / weighing All boats launched (Clause 15) & end of registration Skipper s Briefing Practice Races First Warning Signal Opening Reception Skipper s Briefing Day 1 First Warning Signal Skipper s Briefing Day 2 First Warning Signal Lay Day (This date may be changed by the OA condition depending) Skipper s Briefing Day 3 First Warning Signal Skipper s Briefing Day 4 First Warning Signal Skipper s Briefing Day 5 First Warning Signal Prize giving Oman Sail Oman Sail Oman Sail Oman Sail Race Area Oman Sail Race Area Race Area Race Area Race Area Race Area Monday 6 th March 08.00 18.00 Boat Lift-Out Oman Sail TBC Please note that all timings are subject to change.
Team Information Technical area access The Technical area will be open for access from 08.00 Monday 6 February to 20.00 Monday 13 March. The location will be near the Oman Sail HQ at the Al Mouj Marina. Access prior to this date is not possible due to Customs restrictions. Facilities will be set up and available during these dates and extra costs will be applied. Please contact the Technical team if you require an information pack outlining the facilities and technical services for the refit period over the next few days. Yacht moorings GC32s and RIBs will be moored at the Al Mouj Marina. Official practice races The official practice races will take place on Monday 27 February. Guest sailing If you choose to have any Guest/corporate sailing in Muscat it will be under teams own insurance and guidelines. Race management office The race management office will be located in the Oman Sail HQ building.
Social program Opening reception The opening reception will be held at 1830 on the 27 February. Location will be confirmed closer to the event. Event BBQ An event BBQ will take place on Wednesday 1 March. Further details will be confirmed closer to the event. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Teams will need to organise their own food during their stay. If you choose to stay at the Holiday Inn, they will provide a buffet breakfast which is included in the cost of the room, and dinner is also available if you wish to eat there. There are also many shops and restaurants located at the Al Mouj, open for both lunch and dinner.
Media & PR Media room A media room will be available in Oman Sail HQ from 27 February to 5 March. Press Accreditation Any press attending the GC32 Championships in Oman must be accredited, please contact James Boyd (press@gc32racing.com) and let him know if you have any media are attending. Please check and coordinate you press releases and communications with James. If you have any celebrities attending, or newsworthy stories please inform. Pre-event activity Please let us know if you have any pre-event activity planned e.g. promotional launches, press conferences etc. Event Photographer There will be an event photographer onsite, images can be used for editorial use. Please make sure you credit the photographer. GC32 Championship Official Website Under www.gc32championship.com the GC32 Championship event website will be online from the 18.01.2017 onwards.
Local information Time Zone: GMT +4 Weather: The average temperature for February and March: 27-31 degrees celsius. It is usually very sunny, so don't forget the suncream! Wind speed varies from 0-6 m/s (calm to moderate breeze). Electricity: Standard voltage is 240, same socket as used in the UK. Currency: The local currency in Oman is the Omani Rial (OMR) One Euro ( ) = 0.41 OMR. Omani Phone Area Code = +968
VPN - In order to have good connection You will need to download a VPN in order to connect to Skype, Facebook and some other apps and websites which are restricted in Oman. Ensure you download and configure you VPN before entering Oman. Below are some free VPN options: CyberGhost - www.cyberghostvpn.com/en Private Tunnel - https://www.privatetunnel.com/ Free VPN Access - http://freevpnaccess.com Best UK VPN - http://www.bestukvpn.com TunnelBear - http://www.tunnelbear.com
Contacts Harry Spedding Technical Team Leader harry.spedding@ocsport.com Skype: harryspedding Contact for: Technical area, measurements enquiries. Catherine Platts Venue Manager catherine.platts@ocsport.com Skype: ocs_catherineplatts Contact for: General information, accommodation etc. In Muscat from 25 January - 14 March Christian Scherrer GC32 Class Manager christian@gc32racing.com Skype: chrscherrer Contact for: Championship and Class information. Event Website: www.gc32championship.com GC32 Official Notice Board: www.gc32championship.com/onb/ GC32 Class Website: www.gc32.org