Dubai: The Atlas crew endorsed their champions status by winning the annual Al Qamar Island to Dubai 60ft dhow sailing race, sponsored by Al Habtoor Motors on Saturday.
Covering a distance of 28Nm, the race is traditionally seen as a key preparatory event for next month’s season-ending Al Gaffal race.
Atlas, skippered by Ahmad Rashid Al Suwaidi and owned by Faraj Bin Butti Al Muhairbi, was first off the start line, chased in the early stages by former winners Al Zeer and Gazi.
But that early lead proved crucial to Atlas as skipper Al Suwaidi held his line to lead the fleet of 73 dhows and win easily with a time of less than two hours.
Al Zeer, owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, was placed second and Ghazi, owned by Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, came in third. Al Adeed was fourth and Zaljal fifth.
The top three finishers all received cash awards and new cars from Mitsubishi, courtesy of the sponsors.
Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Thani, President of the Board of Directors of Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC), presented the prizes along with DIMC board member Mohammal Suhail Al Ayali and Sari Al Mansouri from Al Habtoor Motors.
