Dubai: Shanas, owned by the Oman Ministry of Sports, and Muzahim topped the opening two heats of the Dubai Traditional Rowing Race held off the Mina Seyahi waters of Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) last weekend.
Accompanied by the splash of oars and chanting of traditional songs, it was Shanas skippered by Khalifa Bin Ahmad Bin Abdullah taking the top spot in the first round, while Muzahim, owned by Shaikh Saqr Bin Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi and skippered by Hamad Ahmad Ahmadoo, emerged victorious in the second.
Raced in the relatively calm waters inside the Palm Jumeirah, the 10-strong crews of both Shanas and Muzahim rowed their way through to the finish line in what was the second heat of the 30ft Dubai Traditional Rowing Race.
They were closely followed by Dubai, skippered by Fahd Ebrahim Al Mar’ei, and Al Qasimi, skippered by Othman Al Mansouri, in second and third places respectively in round one.
Wadi Al Siji, skippered by Arif Ali Bani Yas and Bin Majed, skippered by Saeed Al Shehi, followed in second and third places respectively in the second round.
The large fleet of 43 registered boats was split into two groups through random draw of lots. The prize-giving ceremony was held afterwards, with the trophies being handed out by Mohammad Sharif Suhail Al Ayali, member of the board at DIMC and Ali Bin Gulaitha, CEO, DIMC.
