CNN

Is the Middle East the world sailing capital of the future? This month, Mainsail takes an in-depth look at the region as sailing re-emerges there.

Shirley Robertson visits Oman for a ride on a traditional 'sewn plank' dhow, newly built using ancient methods -- 40,000 stitches, not one nail.

The old gives way to the new as Shirley takes the wheel of a state of the art 21st century racing trimaran, one of the largest in the world and CNN Mainsail looks at the state of the business world in the region and the burgeoning marine trade.

And in exclusive interviews, the Bahrain Team Pindar sailors give MainSail a different perspective on the safety of the region following their release from Iranian captivity -- is the Arabian Gulf really a safe place to sail?

Showtimes:

Thursday 21 January: 1330, 1730, Saturday 23 January: 0830, 1830, 2100, Sunday 24 January: 0400, 0830, 1600 (all times GMT)