Dhow race on course to be richest in event's history

Dubai: The 18th edition of the Sir Bu Naair traditional dhow sailing race, the spectacular highlight of the UAE water-sports calendar which takes place next weekend, is set to be the richest in the event's history.

This is as a result of the generosity of the event's patron Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, who has raised the prize money by Dh4 million, taking it to a staggering Dh10 million.

The Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC), organisers of the event, said that Shaikh Hamdan had ordered the increase in a bid to help raise the status of the race and attract greater participation.

Generous gesture

Saeed Hareb, Managing Director of DIMC, said: "It is a very generous gesture from Shaikh Hamdan to raise the prize fund. He has supported this venture right from the start and has faithfully travelled to Sir Bu Naair every year for the last 17 years. I'm sure the racers will be overjoyed by the bigger stake and more entrants will register this year."

"I've seen this race grow from a mere 56 dhows in the initial years to more than a 100. I am grateful to Shaikh Hamdan and thank him for his continued support, year after year", Saeed added.

Sailing is without a doubt the most spectacular water sport event and the Sir Bu Naair race for 60-foot traditional dhows is the ultimate sailing race. Crews race the 54 nautical miles from the offshore island of Sir Bu Naair back to Dubai, replicating the old pearl-trading routes of their ancestors. The winning dhow can take up to eight hours to cross the finishing line.

With 100 dhows, 2,500 sailors and 600 support crew participating in the largest purse for any traditional sailing race, the event celebrates the closing of Al Qaffal, the season of pearl diving when the fathers and sons returned home from their long journey at sea.

The first Sir Bu Naair Island race was held in 1991 in a bid to revive the traditions of the pearl traders and has grown in stature.

The dhows are handcrafted and can cost upwards of Dh350,000 each.

The race will take place from Sir Bu Naair Island on May 31 with sails rising at 7.30am.

The finish line is at Mina Seyahi Dubai.