Dubai: Going on past experiences, the Dubai leg of the Louis Vuitton Trophy will have an altered racing schedule when it's staged at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) later this year.

One of the major concerns for the 10 participating teams during last week's round held in La Maddalena, Sardinia was the time spent outside the water, due to unfavourable sailing conditions, especially during the preliminary rounds.

"It was time for some minor changes and we sat down, deliberated and then made the required alterations in league with promoters WSTA [World Sailing Team Association], sponsors Louis Vuitton and the television production partners at the end of the La Maddalena round last week," Sid Benselah, General Manager, DIMC told Gulf News after his return from Italy.

With Bensaleh as the 18th man on board the Emirates Team New Zealand boat, the Kiwis fought back from a 0-2 deficit to stage a remarkable recovery and win the second round of the Louis Vuitton Trophy last weekend.

Reserve days

Teams are expect ed to arrive for the Dubai round in the first week of November and round-robin match racing will actually start from November 15. "They have adequate provisions for reserve days and in addition we have incorporated a special regatta for junior sailors," Bensaleh said.

"The changes have been made to ensure that the excitement and quality of sailing in this competition is maintained. One of the significant observations we have made after witnessing sailing in Nice, Auckland and Sardinia was the need to understand the needs and specifications of the promoters, sponsors and the sport at large," Bensaleh added.

One of the highlights for the Dubai Louis Vuitton Trophy will be the strong element of tradition and heritage on display during the course of the event. "

This will not be a classic Louis Vuitton race per say as we plan to use the stage to depict the true spirit, heritage and culture of the region."

The style of racing at the Louis Vuitton Trophy is match racing: an exciting discipline of sailing that has been used in the America's Cup for more than a century. It pits two crews against each other in a mano-a-mano battle.

The most exciting time of a match race is during the three-minute pre-start, the period that involves fascinating jostling involved as one crew tries to gain control over its opponent.

"Whatever the conditions, we're sure to make the Dubai Louis Vuitton round a success."