Dubai: Ichi Ban, Westin Mina Seyahi and Rush Knot emerged at the top of the pile in Division 1, 2 and 3, respectively, at the end of the 2008 Emirates Maktoum Sailing Trophy that concluded yesterday off the Mina Seyahi waters at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC).
Held in ideal sailing conditions of winds touching 15 to 16 knots, the Matt Allen-skippered Ichi Ban proved it was in a class of its own during the entire event with yet another superb display of sailing to win the ninth race and finish second in the final race yesterday.
Pal Zileri SG did well to finish second and third in the last two races, while the Toby O'Connell skippered Yo! showed it was a force in the sailing world with a third and top place finish on the final day.
In the overall standings, Ichi Ban ended in the top spot with 9 points, followed by Yo! in second with 14 points and Pal Zileri SG in third with 27, leaving Team Aqua in fourth a further five points adrift.
The dominance in Division 2 belonged entirely to Westin Mina Seyahi as the Sultan Hareb and Marcus Wieser boat won both the races on the last day.
Le Meridien Mina Seyahi took second in both races to finish second overall, while Yousuf Bin Lahej-skippered AGMC BMW walked away with the final spot on the podium.
Division 3 had an upset as Rush Knot took first and second during yesterday's racing to finish at the top with 13 points.
The Christophe Vanek-skippered North Star took second and first to come in second overall with 15 points, while defending champion Eureka had a disappointing day with fifth and seventh places to come in third.
Gaith Al Gaith from main sponsors Emirates airline was the chief guest and gave away the trophies in the presence of Saeed Hareb, managing director of DIMC and Khalid Bin Dasmal, from the UAE Marine Sports Federation.
"This has been a fantastic day for sailing and we are pleased with the interest shown by the boats in making this such a huge success," noted Hareb.
The event was held under the patronage of Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum with sponsorships from Emirates airline, AGMC BMW, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina, The Westin Dubai and Marine Pool.
