Dubai: Majid Ahmad Khadim Al Muhairi led ‘Mujahir’ to an impressive finish in the opening round of the 22ft dhow sailing race held at the Mina Seyahi waters of Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) on Friday.
Skippered by Al Muhairi, ‘Mujahir’ was the first to cross the finish line next to Burj Al Arab. ‘Al Shaqi’, skippered by Khalaf Butti Massabeh Al Ghashaish and ‘Tawaq’, skippered by Mesh’al Mohammad Ahmad Ma’ayouf took the second and third positions in a field of more than 70 dhows.
One-time winner ‘Mukhdaram’, owned by Sultan Saeed Hareb and skippered by Ahmad Obaid Saif Al Suwaidi, came in fourth, while ‘Toufan’, another former champion skippered by Ahmad Saeed Salim Al Rumaithi, was placed fifth.
With race administrator Mohammad Ali Zaki Abdul Mustafa setting a stiff course from start to finish at the foot of Burj Al Arab, the dhows ventured out in near-perfect wind conditions. After the first two nautical miles of the 7Nm course, ‘Tawaq’ had managed to take a slight lead. But ‘Mujahir’ tacked leeward and managed to gather enough wind for the straight line towards the finish.
Hazim Mohammad Al Qamzi, acting Ceo, DIMC was joined by Khalid Bin Dasmal, in-charge of sailing department at DIMC and Ahmad Hassan Al Suwaidi in handing over the trophies and cash prizes to the top finishers after the race.
The 22ft dhow sailing championships consist of four rounds with the second round scheduled for December 12.
RESULTS
1. Mujahir (Khadim Abdullah Al Qubaisi - owner; Majid Ahmad Khadim Al Muhairi - skipper); 2. Al Shaqi (Hamdan Saeed Yaber - owner; Khalaf Butti Massabeh Al Ghashaish - skipper); 3. Mesha’al (Mohammad Ali Ahmad Al Suwaidi - onwer; Mohammad Ahmad Ma’ayouf - skipper); 4. Mukhdharam (Sultan Saeed Hareb - owner; Ahmad Obaid Saif Al Suwaidi - skipper); 5. Toufan (Mohammad Ahmad Jaber - owner; Ahmad Saeed Salim Al Rumaithi - skipper); Emaar (Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin rashid Al Maktoum - owner; Atiq Saber Al Mazrouei - skipper).
-Ends
