60ft Dhow boats are preparing to sail again off the shores of Dubai this Saturday in the third round of the 2025 Championship, organized by the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) as part of the current season.
DIMC has begun early preparations and arrangements to host the much-anticipated race, which brings together sailing enthusiasts striving for excellence and leadership in marine competitions. The club has announced the opening of registration and is currently accepting applications to participate in the race through its electronic portal. Registration will remain open daily until next Friday, the deadline for submissions, after which the list of participating ships will be announced in preparation for the launch on Saturday.
Mohammed Al Marri, Director of the Sports Affairs Department at DIMC, expressed his appreciation for the role of success partners, including government departments and national institutions, in supporting the club’s activities and ensuring the safety of participants in all events.
Al Marri emphasized that the organizing committee is diligently working to ensure the success of the highly anticipated event, which serves as the penultimate round in the 60ft Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race. This race is also a preparatory round for the 34th edition of the Al Gaffal event.
He added that the committee is closely monitoring weather forecasts this week to ensure the race is conducted under optimal conditions, prioritizing the safety and security of all participants and support units.
The Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race (60ft) in the current season consists of four rounds. Two rounds were held last year, with the third round scheduled for this Saturday and the final round taking place during the 34th edition of the Al Gaffal Race in May.
DIMC successfully organized the first two rounds of the Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race (60ft). The crew of the ship Atlas 12 emerged as champions in the first round, while the crew of Zilzal 25 claimed victory in the second round.
Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) has decided to postpone the third round of the Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race (60ft), which was scheduled to be held tomorrow (Saturday), to a new date to be determined later due to the expected weather conditions.
The club's decision came after its organizing committee monitored all reports on the expected sea conditions for the day of the race, received from the National Center of Meteorology and several specialized websites, according to Mohammed Al Marri, Director of the Sports Affairs Department at the club.
The club officially notified the owners, captains, and sailors participating in the race following the decision issued by the club to ensure everyone's safety.
The date of the race, which represents the third leg of the Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race (60ft), is expected to be determined in the coming weeks. This will take place before the most awaited race of the season , the 34th edition of the Al Gaffal Long Distance Race from Sir Bu Nair Island to Dubai Shore, scheduled for on next May.
Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) is set to organize the third round of the Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race – 60ft as part of the ongoing 2024-2025 sports season.
Originally scheduled for January, the race was postponed to ensure the safety of participants and their dhows due to sea conditions at the time. After a thorough assessment, the organizing committee has rescheduled the race for this Saturday, making it the final stop before the highly anticipated 34th edition of the Al Gaffal Race—the biggest and concluding event of the season.
DIMC has officially opened registration for the race through its website, allowing competitors to submit their participation requests until the registration deadline at noon on Friday, before the official announcement of the entry list.
Mohammed Al Marri, Director of the Sports Management and Competitors Affairs Department at DIMC, emphasized that preparations for the race are in full swing, in coordination with government authorities and national institutions, to ensure a successful event. He also highlighted that the committee is closely monitoring sea conditions to guarantee the safety of all participating sailors and crew members.
“This race serves as a crucial rehearsal for sailors ahead of the 34th edition of the Al Gaffal long-distance race, which will take place in May, covering the distance from Sir Bu Nair Island to the shores of Dubai,” said Al Marri.
For the 2024-2025 season, the Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race – 60ft consists of four rounds, with two races already completed last year. The upcoming third round will act as a preparatory event before the season’s grand finale.
In previous rounds, Atlas 12 claimed victory in the first race, while Zilzal 25 triumphed in the second.
1993
The first-ever 60ft traditional dhow sailing race was held in 1993 as part of the third edition of the Al Gaffal Long-Distance Race, covering the route from Sir Bu Nair Island to the shores of Dubai. A total of 16 dhows participated and successfully completed the race, with victory going to the crew of Mansour, which currently carries sail number 1.
96
The upcoming race is set to be the 96th event in the series of 60ft dhow sailing races organized by the Dubai International Marine Club since the official introduction of this category in 1993. The third edition of the Al Gaffal Race that year featured a combined competition for both the 43ft and 60ft dhow categories.
Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) has decided to postpone the third round of the Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race (60ft), originally scheduled for tomorrow, to a later date to be determined.
The decision, made by the race's organizing committee, prioritizes the safety and security of participating captains and sailors, based on weather reports, sea conditions, and the expected marine bulletin in the coming hours.
Dubai International Marine Club has already organized two rounds of the Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race (60ft) this season. The crew of Atlas 12 won the first round, while the crew of Zilzal 25 claimed victory in the second round, held in October and November, respectively.
The Dubai 60ft Local Sailing Championship consists of four rounds in the 2024-2025 marine sports season. The postponed third round will be rescheduled, leading up to the most anticipated event of the season—the 34th edition of the Al Gaffal 60ft Traditional Dhow Sailing Race, which will take place from Sir Bu Nair Island to the Dubai shore.
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.
Dubai’s shore will witness this Saturday afternoon a vibrant display of the UAE’s rich maritime heritage as the third round of the Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race (60ft) sets sail. The event is organized by the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) as part of the ongoing 2024–2025 marine sports season.
More than 80 traditional dhows, crewed by elite sailors, captains, and owners, will line up at the starting point off the coast of Dubai, ready to race toward the finish line near the iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel. Covering a distance of 20 nautical miles, the race promises a stunning display of heritage and competition as the fleet competes for top place in this prestigious round.
DIMC has already successfully organized the first and second rounds of the championship. In those previous races, the crew of Atlas 12 claimed victory in the opening round, while Zilzal 25 secured first place in the second round.
This third and decisive round will be crucial in determining the overall standings, and is expected to attract strong public interest and support for the enduring tradition of Emirati sailing.
Al Aryam 279, owned and captained by Eng. Dr. Ahmed Salem Al Hammadi, was crowned champion of the 60ft Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race – Heat 3, successfully organized by the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) last Saturday as part of the ongoing 2024–2025 marine sports season.
Achieving a historic milestone, Team Al Aryam 279 claimed first place for the first time in the 60ft dhow sailing category since its launch in 1993. The race, marked as the 96th edition, was a dream come true for the crew, who finally topped one of the most prestigious heritage races organized by DIMC.
Zilzal 25, owned by H.E. Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan and captained by Marwan Abdullah Al Marzouqi, secured second place, while Zayurikh 120, owned by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and captained by Khalifa Muhair Saeed Al Mazrouei, came in third.
The race—considered the final test before the highly anticipated 34th Al Gaffal 60ft Traditional Dhow Sailing Race—drew massive attention and participation. Over 80 traditional dhows, carrying more than 1,500 sailors, lined up in the deep waters of the Arabian Gulf off the coast of Dubai. With favorable wind conditions and calm seas, the young captains showcased their skills and navigational expertise, racing toward the finish line near Jumeirah beaches. In a thrilling display of strategy, Al Aryam 279 crossed the line first to claim victory.
The event was attended by Mohammed Abdullah Harib, Board Member and CEO of DIMC. The prize ceremony was led by Mohammed Al Marri, Director of the Sports and Competitors Affairs Department at DIMC, along with Colonel Ali Abdullah Al Naqbi from the Ports Police Station, who awarded the top three winners: Al Aryam 279 (1st), Zilzal 25 (2nd), and Zayurikh 120 (3rd).
Al Marri praised the strong coordination with government entities and national institutions that contributed to the success of this key race. He emphasized that the event served as a critical rehearsal ahead of the Al Gaffal Race and applauded the performance and strategies of the young captains who led the competition with excellence.
Expressing his joy, Eng. Dr. Ahmed Salem Al Hammadi, owner and captain of Al Aryam 279, said the win was a tremendous motivation for the team—especially as it marked their first-ever victory in this category. He highlighted the team’s unity and praised the organizing committee for selecting an ideal route and race timing. Al Hammadi also expressed gratitude to his crew, which included several support vessels, for their collective spirit and effort.
