Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race (60ft) - Heat 2

The Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) has announced the postponement of the second round of the Dubai Traditional 60ft Dhow Sailing Race, originally scheduled for this afternoon, Saturday. A new date will be announced in due course, as the decision was made in response to forecasted weather conditions in the Arabian Gulf over the weekend.

Mohammed Al Marri, Director of the Sports Affairs Department at DIMC, emphasized that the safety of captains, sailors, and participating dhow boats remains the top priority in marine racing events. Following careful review of weather reports and sea conditions, the organizing committee made the decision to postpone the race. The rescheduled date will align with the 2024-2025 marine sports season calendar.

Al Marri expressed gratitude to the government departments and national organizations that consistently contribute to the success of DIMC events. He also extended appreciation to the dhow owners, captains, and sailors who fully supported the committee’s decision, noting that all participants were notified on Friday.

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The Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) will host a total of four rounds for the Dubai Traditional 60ft Dhow Sailing Race this season. The first round was held earlier this month, while the second round has been postponed to a later date. The third round is scheduled for November 9, and the season will culminate with the prestigious 34th Al Gaffal Long Distance Race. This iconic race will run from Sir Bu Nair Island to Dubai's shore and is expected to take place in May or June.

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.

The crew of Zilzal 25, owned by Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan and led by Captain Marwan Abdullah Al Marzouqi, was crowned champion of the Dubai Traditional 60ft Dhow Sailing Race (second round of the Dubai Championship for 2024-2025).

Meanwhile, the crew of Atlas 12, owned by Captain Ahmed Rashid Juma Al Suwaidi, secured second place after a fierce race against their rival, Al Tabr 55, owned by Rashid Mohammed Rashid bin Ghadir Al Ketbi and captained by Mohammed Suhail Al Muhairi.

The event, organized by the Dubai International Marine Club, achieved technical and organizational success, attracting over 70 dhow boats, which sailed from the Arabian Gulf toward the finish line in front of the Burj Al Arab Hotel, covering more than 20 nautical miles.

The crew of Zilzal 25 completed the course in just over two hours. The experience of the captain and crew proved crucial, as they skillfully adapted to changing wind speeds and directions, adjusting the sails multiple times to stay on the best course. This navigation expertise helped Zilzal 25 secure the victory. The close gap between Atlas 12 (second) and Al Tabr 55 (third) highlighted the thrilling competition, with both boats finishing within a narrow time margin, similar to the first round. After this race, Atlas 12 continues to lead the overall Dubai Championship standings with 3 points, closely followed by Al Tabr 55 with 4 points.

At the end of the race, the UAE flag was raised on the champions’ platform in Umm Suqeim, where Mohammed Abdullah Harib Al Falahi, Board Member and CEO of the Dubai International Marine Club, along with Mohammed Al Marri, the Race Director, and Colonel Ali Abdullah Al Naqbi from Dubai Police, presented awards to the captains and crews of Zilzal 25 (first), Atlas 12 (second), and Al Tabr 55 (third).

Captain Marwan Abdullah Al Marzouqi of Zilzal 25 dedicated this victory to the boat's owner, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He emphasized that their knowledge of sea conditions played a crucial role in selecting the quickest route, allowing Zilzal 25 to lead confidently to the finish line.

Mohammed Abdullah Harib Al Falahi also congratulated the winners and participants on a safe finish. He acknowledged the essential role of the club’s partners, who contributed to the race's success and ensured the safety of all dhow boats throughout the competition.

Al Falahi described the race as a true maritime epic, with challenging conditions due to fluctuating wind speeds and directions, which added excitement and difficulty to each stage, even in the final meters.

Upcoming Events: 2025

The Dubai 60ft Local Sailing Championship will continue in the 2024-2025 season, with the excitement carrying over into the new year. The third and final round is scheduled for Saturday,  18 January 2025.

Top Finishers:

1. Zilzal 25 – Captain Marwan Abdullah Al Marzouqi
2. Atlas 12 – Captain Ahmed Rashid Juma
3. Al Tabr 55 – Captain Mohammed Suhail Al Muhairi