Zilzal boat no. 77, owned by Marwan Abdullah Al Marzouqi and captained by his son Abdullah, was crowned the champion in the opening round of the Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race (22ft), hosted by the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) for the new 2023-2024 season.
In the junior category competitions (under 16 years), the crew of Falah 25, owned by Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Hammadi and led by Mohammed Abed Mohammed Al Hammadi, secured the top spot after a fiercely contested race covering more than 5 nautical miles.
The event's remarkable success was attributed to the organizational efforts of the Dubai International Marine Club, in collaboration with government and national institutions. The race brought together 40 dhow boats, which assembled at the starting line near World Island and sailed toward the finish line near the iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel.
The young sailors showcased varying levels of competitiveness that reflected their preparedness for the forthcoming season. This season promises numerous stops along the shores of the Emirates. In this exciting race, the crew of Zilzal 77 claimed the top spot and excelled in the youth category. They outperformed the crew of Barq 85, owned by Hamad Hadi Al Mansouri, and captained by the sailors Khamis Ibrahim Al Hammadi, who secured the second position. Following closely behind in third place was the crew of Sultan Al Khair 32, owned by Nasser Sultan Al Marzouqi and captained by Al Nokhatha Muhammad Saleh Jassim.
In the junior category for participants under 16 years of age, Falah 25 emerged as the leader, leaving the second position to its competitor, Al Khayai 49, owned by Mohammed Abdul Rahim Al Marzouqi, and captained by Saif Khaled Al Marzouqi. The third spot was claimed by the crew of Al Fahad 79, owned by Sheikh Nasser bin Isa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and led by Rashid Jassim Mayouf.
Mohammed Al Marri, Director of the Sports Affairs Department at the Dubai International Marine Club, expressed his appreciation for the successful race. He commended the sincere efforts of the organizing committees, the valuable contributions of the event's partners, and the cooperation of the boat owners, captains, and participating sailors.
He remarked, "We are delighted by the enthusiastic participation of the future champions and the upcoming generation in marine races. These sailors are determined to carry forward the legacy of our fathers and grandfathers. They have showcased impressive skills in navigating the sea's conditions and adapting to changing wind speeds."
During the event, Mohammed Al Marri, along with Essa Arif, presented awards to the top three winners in each category. These included the boat captains of the Youth Category : Zilzal (77), Barq (85), Sultan Al khair (32), as well as the Junior category Junior: Falah (25), Al Khayai (49), Al Fahd (79).
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