Dubai: Match racing is set to give sailing an exciting new competitive edge in the UAE as part of a long-term plan to produce local representation in the Americas Cup.
The Dubai Match Race, which is being launched as part of next month's Dubai Junior Regatta, will be the first of many match racing events staged by the Dubai International Marine Club as part of its ongoing drive to boost the popularity of sailing.
"The introduction of a match racing element is in response to a strong demand from within the local sailing community," said Saeed Hareb, managing director of DIMC and the regatta's chief executive.
"Emirates airline's sponsorship of Team New Zealand has done a great deal to increase interest in match racing here and we're planning to make it a regular feature of the sailing calendar.
"We'll be looking to host many of the world's top match-racing experts and at the same time encourage participation form the local sailing community. Ultimately we want to have local representation in the Americas Cup."
Match race sailing is easy to follow, with two identical boats racing against each other as opposed to fleet racing which sees large numbers of boats of different classes competing at the same time.
With effective boat handling and prudent use of wind and currents, a trailing boat can escape the grasp of the leader and pass.
The leader uses blocking techniques to hold the other boat back.
This one-on-one duel is a game of strategy and tactics, and there is only one winner.
The Dubai Match Race will give a new dimension to the Dubai Junior Regatta, which is sponsored by Emirates airline and takes place from January 22-29.
An open international match racing series for challengers of all ages, it will be contested by 12 to 16 teams sailing the newly-designed V1/Lutra-30 Sport Boat. This high performance racing boat has been built in Dubai especially for the event and for next April's ISAF Nations Cup qualifier in the emirate.
The Dubai Match Race will provide vital competitive experience for the two UAE national teams preparing for next year's Asian Games in Doha.
Opposition is already confirmed from New Zealand, Germany, Holland, India, Italy, Kuwait and Qatar.
Following the regatta, two of the five specially-designed V1/Lutra-30 Sport Boats manufactured by V1 Advanced Composite Technologies at Jebel Ali Freezone in Dubai will remain at DIMC while the three others will be sold on privately to take part in the 2006 Maktoum Sailing Trophy.
More than 130 competitors from 18 nations will contest the Optimist and Laser 4.7 events and the Dubai Match Race will boost the overall regatta line-up to well over 200 participants.
The Dubai Junior Regatta is organised by Dubai International Marine Club in conjunction with the UAE Marine Sports Federation and the ISAF, the world governing body of sailing.
The event is co-sponsored by Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina, the official hotel, Marine Pool and V1 Advanced Composite Technologies.
Other official suppliers for the event are Trek, Al Boom Marine, Dubai's Victory Team, Duboats, El Mundo, Nordist and Olimpic Sails.