Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race(60ft) - Heat 1

The organising committee at Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) has decided to reschedule the first round of the Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race (60ft) from Saturday(28 October) to Sunday (29 October) due to sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf waters.

The Dubai International Marine Club is preparing to host this upcoming race, which holds special significance for watersports enthusiasts. This race is considered the largest and most popular in the traditional category, bringing together the elite of boat owners, captains, and sailors. It's also the longest race, typically spanning more than 20 nautical miles in the Gulf waters.

Mohammed Al Marri, the Director of the Sports Affairs Department and Race Director, emphasizesed that the organising committee always seeks the best conditions for the success of the events, with a strong emphasis on the security and safety of all the participants. He pointed out that the weather forecast, based on the monitoring done by the committee, indicates that the upcoming day will not be suitable for the race. However, conditions are expected to improve significantly on Sunday, which is why the race has been postponed by 24 hours.

Al Marri further added, "We have already initiated coordination with our key partners from government departments and national institutions to organise this major race. They have been informed about the new date. Additionally, the organising committee has opened registration, which will remain open until Friday, through the club’s website: www.dimc.ae . Subsequently, the list of participating Dhow boats will be announced."

The 60ft Dhow Sailing Race will feature three rounds this season. The first round takes place this Sunday, followed by the second round in mid-December, and concludes with the final round, which coincides with the conclusion of the season during the 33^rd Edition of Al Gaffal Long Distance Race from Sir Bu Na’air Island to the Dubai Coast, scheduled for April next year.

1993

In 2023, the 60ft Dhow Sailing Race marks its thirty-first season, having been inaugurated during the third edition of the Al Gaffal Long Distance Race in 1993. This race covers the journey from Sir Bu Nair Island, passing through the waters of the Arabian Gulf to the picturesque shores of Dubai.

Over the course of three decades, the 60ft Dhow Sailing Race has embarked on a remarkable journey under the auspices of the Dubai International Marine Club. This category was established as a translation of the vision of the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, whose contributions have left indelible marks on the history of marine sports. These efforts have significantly supported the development of traditional races, with the aim of preserving the legacy of their forefathers for future generations.

The Al Gaffal Race, which commenced in 1991, initially featured competition among 43ft Dhow Sailing Race during its first edition in 1991 and its second edition in 1992. It was in the third edition in 1993 that a significant milestone was reached, marking the inception of a dual race that included two categories: 43ft dhow boats and 60ft dhow boats.

In 1994, it was officially approved that only 60ft Dhow boats would participate in the fourth edition of the Al Gaffal Race. This tradition has endured and prospered, with the most recent edition taking place last June 2023, marking its 32^nd year.

36

The inaugural event of the 60ft Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race, hosted by the Dubai International Marine Club, took place on May 26, 1993. Sixteen boats participated, and it was boat number 36, "Mansour," that claimed the championship title.

Race Schedule:

First Round: Sunday, 29 October, 2023

Second Round: Saturday, December 16, 2023

Third Round: 33rd Al Gaffal Race, April 20-24, 2024

Dubai's shore will witness today a great heritage race with the launch of the Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race, which marks the first round of the Dubai Championship for 2023-2024. This event is organized by the Dubai International Marine Club as part of the new sports season.

The race will bring together elite captains and sailors on board 77 dhow boats as they sail in the afternoon through the depths of the Arabian Gulf waters, heading towards the finish line. This scene will revive memories of the past, reminiscent of the days of their forefathers.

The participating dhow boats will cover a race distance of more than 20 nautical miles on a course determined by the organizing committee, taking into account sea conditions and wind. The race will start with the green flag raised and finish opposite the iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel.

The organizing committee has completed all necessary arrangements to ensure the success of this event, in coordination with government departments and national institutions. During the online meeting held yesterday morning, the organizing committee, led by Mohammed Al Marri, the Director of the Sports Affairs Department and Race Director, informed the sailors of the latest updates pertaining to the race.

Al Marri confirmed the committee's commitment to the success of all events. He pointed out several factors, including the cooperation and interest of the sailors and crews, which bode well for the success of this race, as seen in the first round of the 43ft Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race.

Al-Marri also assured that the weather forecasts are favorable for the race. The dhow boats will gather off the Dubai Islands, and from there, they will move to the starting line while they wait for the signal. The organizing committee will inform the participants of the gathering coordinates and the start and finish lines via SMS.

Dubai Sports TV

Dubai Sports TV will provide a valuable service to all water sports enthusiasts by broadcasting live the 60ft dhow sailing race in the afternoon.

211

"Boat no. 211, Nimran's crew, was the last crew to win first place in the 60ft Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race during the previous season, following their victory in the Al Gaffal Race, one of the most prestigious championship.

96

Boat no. 96 Al Shaqi captained by Khalaf Butti Musabeh Al Ghashish Al Marri, led the overall standings of the 60ft Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Championship last season. The crew is determined to maintain its dominance in the upcoming season.

93

In 2023, the 60ft Dhow Sailing Race marks its thirty-first season, having been inaugurated during the third edition of the Al Gaffal Long Distance Race in 1993. This race covers the journey from Sir Bu Nair Island, passing through the waters of the Arabian Gulf to the picturesque shores of Dubai.

3

The 60ft Dhow Sailing Race will feature three rounds this season. The first round takes place this Saturday, followed by the second round in mid-December, and concluding with the final round, which coincides with the conclusion of the season during the 33rd Al Gaffal Long Distance Race from Sir Bu Na’air Island to the Dubai Coast, scheduled for April next year.

The crew of the boat No. 25, Zilzal, owned by Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan and led by the sailor Marwan Abdullah Al-Marzouki, was crowned the champion of the 60ft Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race (the first round of the 2023-2024 Championship), organised by the Dubai International Marine Club under the new sports season.

The crew of the boat Al Tabr 55, owned by Rashid Mohammed Rashid bin Ghadeer and skippered by Mohammad Suhail Al Muhairi, secured second place in the overall standings, while the crew of the boat no. 211 Namran , owned by Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan and led by Ali Abdullah Al-Marzouki, clinched the third place.

The event marked a significant organisational and technical success, with the participation of 81 dhow boats which lined up at the starting point off the Dubai Islands, in the depth of the Arabian Gulf waters, and sailed over 20 nautical miles to reach the finish line on Umm Suqeim beach, near the iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel.

The organising committee launched the race in suitable conditions, as captains and sailors aboard their dhows navigated to find the quickest and shortest route to the finish line, facing challenging tests due to changes in wind direction and speed.

The crew of the boat Zilzal 25 dominated the race thanks to the experienced leadership of the captain and the efforts of the crew. They made the right decisions on the course and faced tough competition from other participating boats. They were crowned champions, with Al Tabr 55 in second place and Namran 211 in third place.

The awarding ceremony was held to honor the champions of the 60ft Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race which was held in P&O Marinas in Umm Suqeim area. The winners in the race celebrated with the presence of Mohammed Al Marri, Director of the Sports Affairs Department and Race Director.

25

The sailor, Marwan Abdullah Al-Marzouki, dedicated the victory of boat No. 25, Zilzal, in the 60ft Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race to the team sponsor, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the National Media Office, for his continuous support and encouragement, which was reflected in the team's participation in the current season.

Al-Marzouki also expressed his gratitude to the race organising committee at the Dubai International Marine Club for their efforts in making the race a success. He particularly commended the implementation of new control procedures at the starting line, which were greatly adhered to by the participants.

Results:

1- Zilzal 25 - Marwan Abdullah Al-Marzouki

2- Al Tabr 55 - Mohammad Suhail Al Muhairi

3- Namran 211 Al- Ali Abdullah Al-Marzouki