Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) is set to host the highly anticipated 60ft Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race this Saturday, marking the third and penultimate round of the 2024–2025 Dubai Championship. The race will take place offshore in the Arabian Gulf, showcasing Dubai’s iconic waterfront.

Originally scheduled for January, the event was postponed by the organizing committee to ensure the safety of all participants due to unfavourable weather conditions. The newly confirmed date this Saturday aims to offer an optimal and safe racing environment.

DIMC has begun early preparations in close coordination with its strategic partners, including various government departments and national institutions that continue to play a crucial role in the success of the club’s annual sporting calendar.

This race holds special significance for dhow owners, captains, and sailors, as it serves as a rehearsal for the prestigious 34th edition of the Al Gaffal Long Distance Race—the club’s most iconic annual maritime sporting event, which runs from Sir Bu Nair Island to Dubai shores. The Al Gaffal Race is a major highlight of the marine sports season and attracts elite traditional sailing enthusiasts from across the nation.

Registration for the race is currently open via the club’s official website, and will remain available until Friday noon, ahead of the announcement of the final list of participating dhows.

Mohammed Al Marri, Director of Sports Management and Competitors Affairs at DIMC, expressed his appreciation to the government entities and national institutions supporting the club’s initiatives. He emphasized that the organizing committee is working diligently to ensure the success of this important event—the final round of this category and the last major preparatory race before the highly anticipated Al Gaffal Race.

Al Marri added that the committee is closely monitoring marine weather forecasts to ensure the race is held under the best possible conditions, with the utmost priority placed on the safety of participants and supporting units.

The 2024–2025 season of the 60ft Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Championship comprises four rounds. So far, two have been completed: Atlas 12 claimed victory in the first round, while Zilzal 25 took the win in the second. The upcoming race marks the 96th event in this category since its inception in 1993.

The inaugural 60ft dhow race was held in 1993 during the third edition of the Al Gaffal Race, with 16 dhows participating. The dhow Mansour emerged as the first-ever champion of what has now become a celebrated class in traditional sailing.