Omani racer Ahmad Al Harthy swapped his Porsche Carrera Cup car for the open waters of the Isle of Wight this week after being invited by Oman Sail to join its Extreme 40s sailing team as part of world-famous Cowes Week.No sooner had Ahmad concluded the latest round of Porsche Carrera Cup GB action at Snetterton 300 Circuit in East Anglia last Sunday, 7th August, he travelled south to Cowes to join-up with the Oman Air-backed Oman Sail crew.Becoming the 'fifth man', and adding some unique flavour to proceedings by wearing his race suit and crash helmet, the 29-year-old relished the chance to be part of the UK round of the Extreme Sailing Series, the fifth of nine legs on the 2011 calendar which began back in February in Oman.Muscat-born Ahmad, a sporting ambassador for Oman Air and a keen watersport enthusiast away from the track, thoroughly enjoyed every minute spent on the sea and had a fantastic time helping to promote Oman Air and his home nation as a whole at the hugely popular regatta."I'm so grateful to the crew of the Oman Air boat for allowing me to be their 'fifth man' at Cowes, it was an amazing experience and a very proud moment for me", he said, "Cowes Week is a renowned world-class event and it's been a dream come true being part of it.

"Sailing, like motorsport, is growing in popularity all the time back home so being involved in this event has been incredibly important to promote the tourism and business opportunities which exist in Oman. It was a lot of fun supporting the Oman Sail guys before they went out to race, I wish them the best of luck for the remainder of the Extreme Sailing Series."Having since returned home to Oman, Ahmad will spend the next three weeks preparing for rounds 12 and 13 of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship which will take place on 3rd/4th September at Knockhill Circuit in Scotland. Ahead of the event, the Oman Air Racing Team driver is third overall in the Pro-Am 1 Class standings. ‏