Dubai: Ahmad Rashid Al Suwaidi skippered Atlas to a fine win in the second round of the Dubai Traditional 43-foot (13 metres) Dhow Sailing Race off the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) on Saturday evening.
Owned by Faraj Bin Butti Al Muhairbi, Atlas was always seen as the favourite to go for an outright win after Al Suwaidi opted to set a lower side course and headed towards the finish line.
Challenging the ultimate winner was another former champion Burraq, who was skippered by Rashid Mohammad Rashid Al Rumaithi who chose the outside course before proceeding towards the finish laid next to the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel.
These two were challenged in between by a clutch of dhows, including Al Sahel, Inzar and Toufan, who all opted for a mid-course.
With winds at a healthy 15-18 knots, all boats managed to grad enough within their sails as Atlas finished at the top, leaving Burraq in second and Inzar in third.
The second round of the Dubai Traditional 43-feet Dhow Sailing Championships had seen a strong field of 85 dhows registered, of which only 69 turned up for the annual DIMC-organised fixture.
Saturday’s second place gives Burraq the overall lead, following the win in the opening round held in October. But skipper Al Muhairi is well aware that Atlas, Inzar, Sardal and Dalma Marine will all be waiting to cash in on any minor slip-up.
The course for the second round was set up from The Palm Deira and Port Rashid heading straight past The Palm Jumeirah and towards the Burj Al Arab.
“Everyone was pleased with the race as it gave all an equal chance of competing on even terms,” said Mohammad Layali, in charge of traditional sailing at the Dubai International Marine Club.
The third and final round of the championships will be held on February 2, 2013.
Results: 1. Atlas (Ahmad Rashid Al Suwaidi/Faraj Bin Butti Al Muhairbi; 2. Burraq (Rashid Mohammad Rashid Al Rumaithi/Ahmad Mohammad Rashid Al Rumaithi); 3. Inzar (Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer/Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum); 4. Al Amid (Jamal Abdullah Salim Al Adeedi/Al Hathbour Automobile Company); 5. Sardal (Ahmad Thani Al Rumaithi/ Shaikh Zayed Bin Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan).
