A Qatari shipyard has taken on the challenge of giving a major refit to one of the world’s fastest yachts.

Qatar Navigation’s shipyard in Mesaieed, near the capital Doha, is working on the maxi-catamaran, currently named Qatar 2006 and scheduled to take part in a round-the-world yacht race.
Known earlier as Club Med and Maiden II, it is a star entry in the HSBC-sponsored non-stop Oryx Quest 2005 that departs Doha on February 5.
The shipyard is receiving skilled support from Qatar Engineering and Construction Company (Q-Con), which earlier had assisted with the technical and commercial arrangements that brought the boat to the yard.
“There’s no major structural work planned and once the refit has taken place, this pedigree yacht will be a major force to be reckoned with,” said Q-Con general manager Bob Walker.
The refit is taking place under the supervision of newly appointed skipper, Brian Thompson, and a team of experts led by Jonny Malbon. 
“This beautiful boat needs some special care and it’s good to know it’s in safe hands,” said skipper Brian Thompson.
“It’s been sailed hard since its launch in 2000 and along the way it has picked up some amazing records.
“Now it’s time to get it back into top condition so that we can go out and continue its winning ways by taking line honours in the Oryx Quest 2005.”
Residents of Qatar may have seen this huge yacht moored in the Marriott marina until its removal to the Qatar Navigation Shipyard.
It is one of the fastest yachts in the world, having broken the 24-hour speed record by sailing over 694.78 nautical miles in 24 hours, with Thompson as co-skipper. <