Sailing for the juniors will move a notch higher with the announcement of a first-ever consolidated seven-race calendar for the 2005-06 season.

For the first time-ever, all sailing clubs in the UAE have come forward to run, organise and manage at least one race next season.

The start to the new season for the dinghy and multi-hull boats will be made at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel with the Jumeirah International Regatta on November 10-11.

"Seven races on the calendar and the involvement of all sailing clubs in the UAE ... that's the new aspect this season," admitted Sid Bensalah, the sailing department manager at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC).

"But by bringing in all the clubs together we have taken the sport of sailing to a higher level," he added.

"Our aim had always been to involve as many people, and associations to push the sport up by a notch. And I think we have achieved this aim for the first time this season." After the season-opener at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the second race of the series will be conducted by the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (DOSC) on November 17-18.

"We are expecting a huge response this season. From a mere four sailors in 2000, the community has grown to more than 300 today. It's nearly impossible for new sailors to get a membership in any of the clubs," Bensalah noted.

This new consolidated move from the sailing clubs in the UAE has led to the formation of the new Dubai Sailing Technical Committee comprising representatives from DIMC, DOSC and the Jebel Ali Sailing Club (JASC).

"As the sport grows and the demand is high, we felt the need to be better organised for the sake of the youngsters," he added.

2005-2006 CALENDAR

Calendar for the UAE National Championship Series for the Dinghy and Multi-Hull Classes:

November 10-11: Jumeirah International Regatta (JBH)

November 17-18: ULO Regatta (DOSC)

December 15-16: Connector Magazine Regatta (JASC)

February 23-24: Abu Dhabi Sailing Club Regatta (ASC)

March 2-3: UAE National Championships (DIMC)

March 30-31: Insure Direct Regatta (JASC)

April 13-14: Fly Emirates Regatta (DIMC)