Dubai: One of the top officials from the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) said the postponement of the 23rd Al Gaffal 60ft dhow sailing race by a week was due to sudden change in weather conditions. “There was no other option before us. We could not risk our boats out in such rough weather conditions,” Ali Bin Gulaitha, Acting CEO, DIMC told Gulf News.
The annual race held over a distance of roughly 54Nm (100km) between the island of Sir Bu Na’air and Dubai was scheduled to be held on Saturday (May 18) with the advance crew all set to leave for the island on Thursday.
However, with a sudden change in the weather forecast, organisers DIMC had no option by call for the postponement of the 23rd edition of this race to May 25, depending on weather conditions.
“There is no way we can compromise with the safety of our boats and crew. Two days back the conditions were just ideal, but then suddenly it turned so rough yesterday [Tuesday]. We waited thinking there may be change in the forecast, but nothing like this happened and the organising committee had no other option but postpone the race for next weekend,” Bin Gulaitha said.
As per the last count, a total of 102 traditional dhows had registered to participate along with an honorary team with a crew of 16 from Germany that is participating as part of its cultural orientation programme.
This will be for the first time that a foreign team is being allowed to participate in this traditional race that is strictly for UAE sailors. “There’s nothing really that we can do when the weather is against us,” Bin Gulaitha said.
“We will now adopt a wait and watch strategy to see if predicted conditions for next weekend change as well,” he added.
The Al Gaffal 60ft dhow sailing race is traditionally meant to bring down the curtains on the UAE watersport season each year. The race, held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Finance Minister of the UAE, is often regarded as the biggest traditional sailing race in the world.
