Dubai: Two days of tactical racing lie ahead of the 250-odd competitors lining up for the Jumeirah Regatta after medium to light winds were forecast for the weekend.
Patience will be a virtue this afternoon as racing gets under way around 12 noon off the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, whose north beach launches the dinghies. And while Dubai Offshore Sailing Club will host the cruisers category, Mina Seyahi Watersports Club will act as the event base for the catamarans.
Francis Carr, skipper of Faith, runners-up last year in Division One of the cruiser class, feels he and his crew have a great opportunity to prevent Toby O'Connell from guiding his 50-foot yacht, Yo! to a third successive victory in the event.
Carr said: "Our sailing plan is optimised by the kind of conditions we'll have at the weekend, and we're excited and looking forward to the Jumeirah Regatta.
"But to be honest, it's not so much about the conditions, it's more about the team on board. Last weekend Yo! went out with some of their regular crew missing and we beat them in all three races."
In Division Two, John Ford takes Irene in defence of the Jumeirah Regatta title while last year's runner-up, Still Pennyless, could again be a threat under the new ownership of Ian Simmonds. Ford has taken the helm from Mike Jeffs who is now skipper of Mace and will be looking to go one better this time. Tom Hemingway won the catamarans performance class 12 months ago and will be looking for a repeat victory, although he may go solo this time unless he can find a late replacement for Guy Wolfenden, who has left the UAE.