Dubai: Maktoum Sailing Trophy leaders Pal Zileri have been warned that their impressive winning run in the Gulf's top fleet racing series could come to an abrupt halt in Dubai at the weekend.

Australian Mark Fielberg, runner up in the inaugural Maktoum Trophy last year, makes his first appearance in the 2006 series this weekend at the helm of his new Grand Soleil 37 yacht Art Marine 2, and he is eager to start with a win.

"Our team has not sailed in the first two rounds for various reasons, but we're looking forward to giving the new boat its first race in round three at the weekend," said Fielberg.

"I expect us to be on the podium, and that we'll give the Pal Zileri team a real run for their money for first place."

While Pal Zileri have dominated the first two rounds of short course racing, Fielberg believes his crew is well equipped to end their winning run in the 24-hour non-stop offshore event which gets under way from Dubai International Marine Club tomorrow morning.

"I've done many offshore miles in my 20 years of offshore overnight racing in Australia in some of the toughest conditions seen anywhere in the world," he said.

"My crew this weekend are all experienced sailors, and I believe we have one of the most experienced teams in the series."

Fielberg expects important contributions from key crew members Yousef Bin Lahej, the team's tactician and the first UAE national to qualify for an Olympic sailing event, trimmer Chris Graham and navigator Alan Skennerton, a former UAE rally champion.

At the weekend they will be joined by another Aussie, leading sail designer Matt Pearce, who assisted Fielberg in last year's Dubai-Muscat race. He flies in to Dubai to make another guest appearance, with Fielberg saying: "There might be a few other surprises on the team."

Standings after two rounds:

Class 1: 1. Pal Zileri Sailing Team (Kristian Tzanov) 12pts, 2. Horizon FCB (Christophe Vanek / Alain Fédensieu) 21, 3. Switchblade (David Rostant) 29, 4. Goodrich Serdal (Paul Dilworth) 51, 5. Southern Cross (Patrick Cahill) 61, 6. Victory (Jeroen Leenen) 62.

Class 2: 1. Blitzem (Gil Smith) 10pts, 2. Insatiable (John Rose) 20, 3. Al Awal (John Atherton / Lyndon Thomas) 40, 4. Binker (Ben Trenouth) 45.