In Sweden they couldn't wait to leave behind the frozen lakes and their winter woollies for the warm waters of the Gulf.
The Maltese may be short on numbers because of a school crackdown, but their hopes are high. Meanwhile the young Danes are intent on making it a debut to remember.
The cream of young sailing talent from 21 countries begin arriving this weekend for an event providing an international stage for the Americas Cup stars and Olympic champions of the next two or three decades.
It's the world's biggest and most colourful junior sailing festival, combining five days of intense racing with a lively programme of social activities designed to let the kids be kids.
Danish team leader Stig Bløcher believes the beauty of the event is that it helps youngsters not only to further their sailing education but also broaden their horizons in general terms.
"A very important part of the trip is to teach the kids about the local culture and help them make new friends," says Bløcher, a former Danish dinghy champion and winner of the multi-hull (Formula 28) world and European titles.
Denmark is among ten countries represented for the first time and Bløcher says: "We're bringing a very young team to Dubai, but we hope to have two top ten finishers in the individual Optimist class and also hope the team finishes in the top five overall."
Jes Bonde (12) and Stig Steinfurth (11) are the young Danes expected to make the biggest impact in a team also featuring twin brothers Kåre and Kristian Kirketerp (10) and the one girl making the trip to the UAE, Tine Bonde (10).
Launched just six years ago when 25 competitors took part, the event has grown rapidly. A record line-up of 163 youngsters between the ages of nine and 18, as well as 59 team officials, will gather at the Dubai International Marine Club [DIMC] on Tuesday afternoon for the official opening ceremony.
The event's status is highlighted not only by the size and quality of an entry list that includes South Africa's reigning world junior champion, Justin Onvlee, but also by a 14-strong panel of race officials headed by Britain's Tony Lockett, principle race officer for sailing events at the Athens Olympics.
Beginning on Wednesday, the 14-race competitive programme will be in two classes, with separate courses for the Optimist and more advanced Laser 4.7 events which climax on Sunday [January 30].
The Dubai Junior Regatta is part of a major effort to take sailing into a new era in the Gulf. Apart from Denmark, the other newcomers to the event are Australia, Belgium, France, Ireland, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Mauritius, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe. South Africa, Bulgaria,Holland, Italy, Malta, Switzerland and Sweden complete the line-up.
Winter temperatures of 25°C in Dubai are a big attraction for the Swedish team whose six Optimist entries are all aiming for the sport's top flight and include European and Nordic Championship gold medallists. "During January temperatures here can fall to -20°C," said Ulf Johansson, who shares coaching duties with Jan Strömbeck. "The sun goes down by 3.30 pm and it's really cold in the water. No wonder our team is looking forward to Dubai's warm hospitality."
While school headmasters have restricted the strength of the Maltese challenge, one of the major titles could again end up on the Mediterranean island.
National champion Karl Cremona is tipped as a potential Optimist champion by Malta's team coach, Mark Fleri Soler, whose son Matthew, national champion in the Laser 4.7 class, makes up the team.
"This year our head masters only allowed top ranking sailors to miss out on school," said Mark. "Karl is a very strong contender and capable of winning the Optimist class. As for Matthew, it will be his first big regatta in the Laser so it's hard to say if he can perform well at such an early stage."
Three years ago, Soler won the Optimist class outright while Cremona finished third and also carried off the Cadet Optimist title as the Malta party captured the Team Cup.
Boasting a total of 39 competitors split between the national squad and teams from Jebel Ali Sailing Club and Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, the host country's hopes are high, although the challenge from overseas is considerable.
Spearheaded by reigning world junior champion Onvlee, who won the Laser title in Dubai last year, South Africa are again expected to be a major force, while the UAE's Adel Khalid is among the youngsters aiming to move up.
He won the Laser 4.7 title at the 1993 European Championships and hopes to improve on his fourth place overall last year on home waters. Let battle commence.
