Dubai: F3 Team clinched the top honours at the inaugural round of the 30ft Dubai Traditional Rowing Race held off Mina Seyahi on Friday.
Nearly 50 boats participated in the opening round but it was the F3 Team skippered by Khalaf Butti Mussabah Al Ghashaish who surged to victory. It was a second podium finish for Al Ghashaish after he came in second in last week’s first round of the Dubai 22ft dhow sailing race in his boat Al Shaqi.
Ras Al Khaimah 1, with Nasser Hassan Al Kass at the helm, came in second, while Wadi Al Shiji led by Salim Obaid Al Zahmi was third.
Friday’s course had been set over three nautical miles between the iconic Atlantis Hotel and The Palm Jumeirah. The F3 Team boat powered ahead of the pack at the outset and never faced any real challenge from the rest of the field.
Hezaim Mohammad Al Gamzi, Acting CEO, DIMC was joined by Khalid Bin Desmal, board member, DIMC, to present the trophies to the top three finishers after the race.
“While we are increasing our efforts at paying more attention to traditional watersports, we are relieved that there we have managed to adhere to the safety standards since the start of the season,” Al Gamzi told Gulf News.
“We are grateful to all the support staff at DIMC along with the rescue teams and Coast Guard personnel,” he added.
The second round of the rowing contest is scheduled for October 23 and the third and final round on November 27.
