Dubai: The stage is set for the opening round of the 22ft dhow sailing race series off the Mina Seyahi waters of Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) on Friday.
With extra emphasis being laid on portraying the heritage of the UAE while organising such maritime events, the 22ft dhow race will also act as the DIMC season-opener.
This season’s championship will consist of four rounds, with the second scheduled for December 12, the third for January 16 and the finale for February 12.
As of Thursday, 70 dhows had confirmed their entry for Friday’s opener.
“We are expecting a few more by the time we close the registration process. We are ready for the start of yet another successful watersport season at the DIMC,” Mohammad Ali Zaki Abdul Mustafa, race administrator at DIMC, told Gulf News.
“A lot of people have been working round the clock to ensure we have a successful start to the season. Unfortunately, we could not go ahead with the 43ft sailing race last week due to the sad demise of Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
“A lot of emphasis is also being laid on the safety of the sailors, and so there are a few changes being made to the way in which the race will be conducted.”
The DIMC’s sailing events have been showing an increase in participation among young people and Mustafa said: “For us this means an achievement of sorts as we can be assured of our legacy and heritage being in safe hands.”
All boats will assemble at around 1.30pm off the Burj Al Arab for a 2pm start. The course is between six and seven nautical miles and, depending on the wind, the first dhow is scheduled to cross the finish line within an hour, after which the presentation of trophies will be held at DIMC.
