Abu Dhabi: UAE-flagged entry Team Ras Al Khaimah will be boosted for the third and arguably toughest leg of Sailing Arabia — The Tour, with Emirati Marjed Sultan joining the crew.
The Abu Dhabi to Ras Al Khaimah leg, which started yesterday, is be the engineering student's first offshore sailing experience and the first time he has sailed on a conventional keel yacht.
"I've been sailing traditional dhows for about two years so I have some sailing experience but there are vast differences between sailing dhows and competitive race yachts," Sultan said.
"It is also my first time offshore out of sight of land so that will be an experience in itself. I hope to be able to make a genuine contribution to sailing the yacht and learn as much as I can along the way."
Invitation
Sultan's invitation to join the Ras Al Khaimah crew came by way of a recommendation from his college, the RAK Higher College of Technology.
"It was an offer too good to refuse and both the college and my employer have got right behind me and made sure that it could happen," he said.
"The guys on the boat have also been incredibly welcoming."
After competing as part of the crew for Friday's short in-shore race held off the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club, Sultan was confident he would be up to the job.
"The race was really exciting and I can see how important team work is," he said.
"The crew have made me feel like I'm part of the team already and I won't let them down."
The team's skipper John Curran says it is fantastic to have an Emirati on board and thinks he is made of the "right stuff" for what promises to be a difficult leg.
"We would love to see a UAE entry in next year's race sailed entirely by Emiratis," Curran said.
"There are some very good local sailors in Ras Al Khaimah and I'm sure an all-Emirati team could compete very successfully. I think Marjed will prove that during the race leg."
