Dubai to host the final leg of Russell Coutts sailing

Dubai: The final heat of the Russell Coutts 44 Gold Cup will feature prominently on the 2007-'08 watersport calendar released by the UAE Marine Sports Federation recently.

Since taking a sabbatical from active sailing, the legendary Americas Cup skipper has dedicated his time in perfecting a class of sailing boats named after himself in an attempt to challenge sailors aspiring for the Americas Cup.

The former skipper of Team New Zealand held an exhibition of his new Russell Coutts 44 boats in Dubai in March last year.

The opening season for the new Forty Four Class has nine stops around the world starting with Portorose in Slovenia in March this year.

Coutts has put together a sailing calendar that includes two stops in Slovenia, three in Italy and one each in Portugal, Switzerland and Croatia and the finale for the 2007 championship in Dubai from December 10-16.

New concept

After falling out with Alinghi owner Ernesto Bertarelli, Coutts has been a regular in Dubai for the past couple of years pushing through his new concept for the new 44ft sailing boats designed by him.

The RC 44 is designed as a light displacement racing yacht in carbon so as to provide a stiff but light structure with a low centre of gravity. The cockpit layout allows only seven crew members to sail the boat.

"We are very excited to host one of the greatest legends of sailing right here in Dubai," said Saeed Hareb, General Manager of Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC), the hosts for the event.

"We want to make the RC 44 Championship an annual event on our calendar."

Other important events on the annual sailing calendar will be the Beneteau Cup Sailing Regatta (November 2), the fourth edition of the Maktoum Sailing Trophy (February 21-29) and two rounds of the annual UAE National Sailing Championship in Dubai (November) and in Abu Dhabi (April).

"The concept is to ensure that our growing breed of sailors get the right balance and exposure in a varied field of boats," said Sid Bensalah, Sailing Director at DIMC.

UPDATE
Sea Dubai Watersports Festival on the cards

Preceding the RC 44 Championship will be an ambitious ten-day watersport extravaganza aptly termed the 'Sea Dubai Watersports Festival'.

The new concept will get under way with the traditional dhow sailing race for 22ft boats on November 29 and conclude with the eighth and final round of the 2007 WPPA Class One World Powerboat Championship.

"Our aim is to give the right value for watersport in the country and in the region," said Saeed Hareb, General Manager and Managing Director for Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC).