Sport | Sailing
Sayeb cruises to glory while Toufan hangs onto overall lead
Sayeb skippered by Marwan Abdullah Al Marzouqi, completed the 7.5km course to take first place at the Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum 22 feet traditional dhow sailing race held on Saturday.
- Staff Report
- Published: 00:05 April 7, 2008
- The Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum 22-feet traditional dhow sailing race took off to a fine start off the Mina Seyahi Coast on Saturday.
- Image Credit: Supplied picture
Dubai: Sayeb skippered by Marwan Abdullah Al Marzouqi, completed the 7.5km course to take first place at the Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum 22 feet traditional dhow sailing race held on Saturday.
Ahmad Thani Al Merri and his crew in Al Mes came in second. Muzahim made it to third place at the finish.
The 7.5km race was made up of two khayours (turn buoys) and then a long stretch down to the Mina Seyahi lagoon around the Palm Islands logo to the finish line.
The 30 registered boats placed themselves in line for the start except for one dhow that persistently kept moving ahead of the start buoys, thus causing them to be disqualified.
No sooner had the green flag been raised than the sails went up and the journey began.
Favourable winds saw the dhows make it across from the crescent of the Palm Island to the first turn buoy in front of the Sheraton Jumeirah, turn around, come up to the second turn mark to head for the second turn buoy that was positioned offshore in front of the Hilton Jumeirah.
Arduous journey
The journey was arduous as the winds blew south, thus causing the crew to use their oars to reach the buoy.
First to reach the first khayour was Azzam, followed by Al Za'eem and Al Wasf. The rest followed at their pace and most made it to the second turn buoy. The course from the second khayour to the logo island was long and headwinds made it harder for the crew.
Once on the turn back upward to the finish, it was a piece of cake as south winds favoured the sailors and they gained speed to make it to the finish.
There was a dramatic twist in the dhows that were expected to reach the finish mark.
Skill and tactic while approaching the khayours played an important role which could cause the dhow dearly in their position of rank.
There was tough competition between Al Wasf, Shamardal and Salik. Toufan, who stays in an overall lead, found himself at seventh place in the heats - which will eventually cost him points.
The seventh and final heat of the Dubai traditional 22-feet dhow sailing race will be held on May 16.
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