Dubai International Marine Club will organize the second round of the Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race 60ft on Sunday, the 17th of December, under the current sports season 2023-2024.

The shores of Dubai are set to witness a grand traditional sporting event that will bring together more than 1,500 sailors across the waters of the Arabian Gulf. They will embody the epic past of their forefathers on one of the region's tourist waterfronts, starting in the depths of the Arabian Gulf towards the finish line off Umm Suqeim Beach. The race route will pass in front of the iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel, covering a distance of more than 20 nautical miles.

Dubai International Marine Club continues to organize heritage events that suit the country's atmosphere, in line with the campaign for the most beautiful winter in the world. This race is one of the most popular and closely followed races, bringing together family members and various segments of society, reflecting their love for United Arab Emirates culture and continuing the legacy of their parents and grandparents.

The anticipated event is one of three rounds for the Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race 60ft category. The first round took place last October, the second round is scheduled for this Sunday, and the final round will conclude with the 33rd edition of the Al Gaffal 60ft Traditional Dhow Sailing Race next year, in April.

The organizing committee at the Dubai International Marine Club has announced the opening of registration to participate in the race through the club’s website at www.dimc.ae. Registration continues until tomorrow (Friday), after which the list of participating boats will be published. Simultaneously, the organizing committee monitors all reports on the weather forecast received from The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) and various specialized websites.

The club’s organizing committee has been keen to coordinate with supporting bodies and success partners from government departments and national institutions. These entities consistently contribute to the success of the race in organizational aspects, controlling and monitoring the competition along the race route map from the beginning to the finish line, where the route passes through the stunning Dubai Islands, The World Islands, Palm Jumeirah Island, and the beaches of Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah.

25

 It is worth noting that in the first round of the Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race(60ft), the boat no. 25 'Zilzal' led by Marwan Abdullah Al Marzouqi, secured the first-place victory. Following closely is boat no. 55 'Al Tabr,' skippered by Mohammad Suhail Al Muhairi for the second place, while the crew of boat no. 211 'Nimran,' captained by Ali Abdullah Al-Marzouki, secured the third position. 

1993

In 2023, the 60ft Dhow Sailing Race marks its thirty-first season, having been inaugurated during the third edition of the Al Gaffal Long Distance Race in 1993. This race covers the journey from Sir Bu Nair Island, passing through the waters of the Arabian Gulf to the picturesque shores of Dubai.

Over the course of three decades, the 60ft Dhow Sailing Race has embarked on a remarkable journey under the auspices of the Dubai International Marine Club. This category was established as a translation of the vision of the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, whose contributions have left indelible marks on the history of marine sports. These efforts have significantly supported the development of traditional races, with the aim of preserving the legacy of their forefathers for future generations.

The Al Gaffal Race, which commenced in 1991, initially featured competition among 43ft Dhow Sailing Race during its first edition in 1991 and its second edition in 1992. It was in the third edition in 1993 that a significant milestone was reached, marking the inception of a dual race that included two categories: 43ft dhow boats and 60ft dhow boats.

In 1994, it was officially approved that only 60ft Dhow boats would participate in the fourth edition of the Al Gaffal Race. This tradition has endured and prospered, with the most recent edition taking place last June 2023, marking its 32nd year.

36

The inaugural event of the 60ft Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race, hosted by the Dubai International Marine Club, took place on May 26, 1993. Sixteen boats participated, and it was boat number 36, "Mansour," that claimed the championship title.