76 Dhow Boats to Compete Today for the Title in the 60ft Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race (the second round of the Dubai Championship 2024-2025), organized by the Dubai International Marine Club as part of the current sports season calendar.
The 60ft dhow boats make their second appearance along Dubai’s shore and their 95th overall in the history of this race category since its inception in 1993. This ongoing series also includes the season finale, the Al Gaffal Long Distance Race.
Today’s event brings together dozens of the nation’s sons aboard their dhows in the Arabian Gulf, recreating the memories of their forefathers who returned from diving trips. The race holds special significance for owners, captains, and sailors as they compete for the Dubai Championship title in the 2024-2025 season.
The Dubai International Marine Club will host four rounds in this category, with the first round held last October. The championship continues today with the second round, while the third round is scheduled for January 18, 2025. The series will conclude with the Al Gaffal race from Sir Bu Nair Island to Dubai’s shore, expected in May or June next year.
The participating dhows are expected to gather at noon in the depth of Arabian Gulf waters , awaiting the yellow flag to line up at the starting line. Once the green flag is raised by the organizing committee, they will set sail over a distance of more than 20 nautical miles toward the finish line opposite the iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel.
Mohammed Abdullah Harib, Board Member and CEO of the Dubai International Marine Club, welcomed the owners, captains, and sailors participating in the race today, wishing everyone the best of luck and a safe journey to the finish line.
Harib added that the strong cooperation between the club and its partners from government departments and national institutions, as well as with the captains and sailors, has significantly contributed to the success of the club’s events since the start of the marine sports season last September. The club recently completed the 43ft Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race, marking its 37th season since the club’s establishment, along with traditional races such as the 22ft and 60ft dhow sailing categories.
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According to the plans set by the organizing committee under the supervision of Mohammed Al Marri, Director of the Sports Affairs Department at the Dubai International Marine Club, the participating dhow boats will race a distance of over 20 nautical miles. This will take place in favorable weather conditions as per the marine bulletin and weather reports, which forecast wind speeds of 9-14 knots around noon today. Wave heights are expected to reach one foot, with a temperature of approximately 30 degrees Celsius.
Dubai Sports TV Live Broadcast
Dubai Media Incorporated continues its strong support for marine sports of all kinds. Today, it will provide an exceptional viewing experience for fans and the public through Dubai Sports TV Channels, broadcasting the 60ft Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race—the second round of the Dubai Championship—live. The broadcast will feature commentary from the talented Abdullah bin Suwaidan, while colleague Mohammed Saeed Al Ketbi serves as the TV Race Director.
The Dubai Sports Channels team, led by Abdulrahman Amin, General Manager of Sports Channels, Hassan Habib, Director of Dubai Sports Channel, and Abdulkhaleq Al Khamis (Production and Operations), has completed all preparations for the broadcast. This coordination involved the Dubai International Marine Club and Leeds Security and Aviation Services Company to ensure smooth coverage of the race.
