Dubai: Averda skipper Marcel Herrera is looking to make it third time lucky in this year’s EFG Sailing Arabia - The Tour, after two previous runners-up spots.
EFG Bank Monaco, winners of the past two editions of this event, are again the team to beat in this sixth edition of the 760 nautical mile race from Dubai to Muscat via Abu Dhabi, Doha and Khasab, running from February 14 to 29.
However, Herrara, who twice came second to Sidney Gavignet’s Bank Monaco in 2014 and 2015, believes his team can stage an upset.
“We are a young team so cannot come close to boasting the experience levels of someone like EFG Bank Monaco skipper Sidney Gavignet but we do have a good amount of experience for our age,” he said.
“We like the new route [a revision from last year’s Muscat to Manama]. Dubai and Muscat are the two best stopovers and it makes sense to put them in the spotlight. The long legs [from Doha to Khasab] will make it tough but we are looking forward to giving it our best shot.
“I think the long upwind leg from Abu Dhabi to Doha will probably be the toughest if last year was anything to go by. The fleet got a surprise with how tough it was and we had a lot of work to do to make our boat go fast and keep our equipment dry.
“With this event, we can expect three long weeks of racing in everything from light winds and sandstorms to strong winds and freezing conditions as we had last year. This year will be no different” he added.
“I think it is too early to say where we will finish, however we are hoping to do our sponsors proud and put in a top five finish. We are looking forward to the start of the race in Dubai, seeing the culture and heritage that the Middle East has to offer throughout the 760nm race and being given the opportunity to race in such prestigious sailing conditions.”