IN PICTURES: iShares Cup 2009 in Almeria

OMAN Sail Masirah, helmed by Great Britain's Chris Hiscocks, claimed the iShares Cup - with a victory in the final leg in Almeria.

TO THE VICTOR: Oman Sail Masirah, skipper Pete Cumming, winner of the iShares Cup 2009 (Thierry Martinez)

Almeria's usually strong winds never materialised, with light winds adding to the nerves of the ten teams challenging in the final event of Extreme 40 Sailing Series.

“I’ve been dreaming of this for two years taking part and racing against the best in the world,” said Oman Sail skipper Peter Cumming, who won the JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race earlier this year.

“I was choked up thinking about it this morning as I walked down to the boat and since Amsterdam I’ve been losing sleep because I couldn’t bear to think of not winning it.

“Finally, I’ve gone from the most stressed man in Spain to the happiest man in Spain!

"It means the world to me, it is the highlight of my sailing career.”

READ MORE: Sportsbeat reporter takes to the waves in iShares Cup

CLOSE QUARTER RACING: iShares, skipper Shirley Robertson, BT, skipper Nick Moloney, Oman Sail Renaissance, skipper Loick Peyron (Thierry Martinez)

CHAMPION CREW: Oman Sail Masirah, skipper Pete Cumming, was helmed by British Olympic medallist Chris Hiscocks in Almeria (Thierry Martinez)

VICTORY HUG: The crew of Oman Sail Masirah celebrate their close-fought victory in Almeria (Thierry Martinez)