Abu Dhabi: Olympic sailors have expressed their excitement about competing in Abu Dhabi between Thursday and Sunday.
The ISAF Sailing World Cup Final is making its debut in the UAE capital and includes 10 Olympic events, with sailors battling it out for a share of the $200,000 (Dh735,000) prize money.
“There are so many welcoming and friendly people here,” said the United States’ Briana Provancha at the opening press conference at the Breakwater on Tuesday. “It’s such an awesome part of the world to say you were able to visit. To see things and immerse ourselves in this culture has just been a fantastic experience.
“We are definitely getting the full experience and it’s been an incredible trip so far.”
Provancha competes with Anne Haeger in the Women’s 470 and will face some tough challenges with Lara Vadlau, 2014 world and European champion, within the fleet. She added: “To be part of this first concept of the ISAF World Cup Final is something incredible and I’m sure the winner of this event will go down in history and hopefully we’ll be able to perform here.
“We’re definitely looking to sail our best, hopefully make the podium and to come home with some prize money would be great. The fleet is very tough. Lara and Jola [Ogar] are fantastic competitors and we’re looking to sail hard.”
Hosts of the extravaganza, the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club, are using the star names competing to promote sailing locally.
Olympians Sofia Bekatorou and Konstantinos Trigonis, both of Greece, have made visits to local schools this week. World no 1 Laser sailor Tom Burton of Australia and 2013 49er FX world xhampion Alex Maloney of New Zealand are both set to participate in events where local children are being encouraged to take up sailing.
The inaugural ISAF Sailing World Cup Final was declared open by ISAF President Carlo Croce in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
With a packed crowd of local dignitaries, VIPS and competitors, the ISAF President welcomed the world’s finest Olympic sailors and kiteboarders who will be taking to the UAE capital’s waters from Thursday.
Racing begins at 12pm.
