Sailing in the UAE enters a new era today with the launch of the Maktoum Sailing Trophy, an exciting series destined to take its place alongside the world's leading offshore races.
Organised by Dubai International Marine Club, the Maktoum Sailing Trophy consists of a seven-round series stretching over the next four months for the spectacular new IRC (International Racing Certificate) class of sailing boats given birth by a recently created national body in the UAE.
The introduction of the Maktoum Sailing Trophy the first IRC series to be held on a national level is an important step in plans to give sailing a major boost in popularity in the UAE to reflect the country's age-old seafaring tradition.
It is also part of a broader international effort to promote sailing with a view to encouraging greater participation and fairer competition along with more public awareness and support.
"The launch of the Maktoum Sailing Trophy series marks a very exciting new chapter for the sport in the UAE," said Saeed Hareb, Managing Director DIMC, at an official launch press conference at DIMC today.
"This is part of a growing international movement to reverse the way sailing has fallen behind other sports. We are determined to play a key role in changing the fortunes of sailing."
Getting under way at 2.00pm the opening Race in the Maktoum Sailing Trophy follows a course along the edge of The Palm Jumeirah, which is being hailed as a unique stage for world-class watersports, particularly after its recent role in two weeks of World Powerboat Championship racing in Dubai.
Three more races take place tomorrow, the first starting at 11.00am and the other two following in the afternoon.
The series is being staged with the support of the entire UAE sailing community, including Jebel Ali Sailing Club, Dubai Offshore Sailing Club and the Emirates Heritage Club Abu Dhabi.
Set up in May by the UAE Marine Sports Federation, the UAE IRC Owner's Association was the first national body to be established after sailing's world governing body, the ISAF, sanctioned the launch of IRC class of handicap racing.
This brings together a mixture of purpose-built racing yachts and racing cruisers ranging in length from 29-foot to 55-foot, whose widely ranging performance capabilities will be balanced out by a handicap system based on hull and sail size.
David Warroll, Vice-president of the UAE IRC Owner's Association, said: "After the ISAF opened the way for the establishment of IRC handicap racing, the UAE Marine Sports Federation wasted no time in setting up our own parent body for the new class.
"We feel proud to be at the helm of such an important development bringing inexpensive but fair competition for local keelboat sailors.
"We're also grateful to Saeed Hareb and his team at Dubai International Marine Club for the inspired move to create the Maktoum Sailing Trophy."
Schedule
- December 16-17: DIMC Series. January 21-22: Dubai-Sir Bunair-Dubai Race. February 2-4: Jebel Ali Sailing Club Series.March 3-7: Dubai-Muscat Race. March 31-April 1: Dubai Offshore Sailing Club series.April 7-8: Dubai-Sir Bunair-Abu Dhabi Race.April 21-22: Final Around The World Race.