Dahees pip Mu'azzam for title

Khadim Rashid Khadim Al Muhairi skippered Dahees to an action packed second heat of the 22-ft traditional dhow race organised by the DIMC yesterday.

Mu'azzam finished an impressive second while Mushakes, winner of the opening heat, had to be satisfied with third in the five nautical mile race held along the Palm Island project opposite Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC).

The race got delayed by about 20-minutes due to a faulty start by Mu'azzam but once the dhows got going after the restart it was a real battle between the crew members and the choppy sea condition.

Al Hamriya owned by the Marine Heritage Club of Sharjah and captained by Hamad Saeed bin Saifan was the surprise leader. But the Sharjah team could not hold on for long and saw Mushakes, Al Seyad and Dahees coming from the inside line to go in front.

The Mohammed Rashid bin Room owned Mushakes then took the lead for a brief stretch closely followed by Al Muhairi's Dahees.

As the race neared the half way mark buoy near Burj Al Arab, Mu'azzam was making every possible effort to surge ahead of Dahees. And once the dhows turned for the upward and the most difficult part of the race back to the Mina Seyahi backwaters, the sailors were seen struggling even harder to keep their boats steady against the changing wind conditions.

Al Qafy led by Majid Saeed Salim, which was at that point in a commanding third position was the first dhow to suffer when they capsized along the Royal Mirage beach area.

The Dubai Police rescue team rushed to lift them out but the four-member crew could not continue the race due to the damage on their mast.

Yet another sudden shift in the wind nearly ended the race for Mu'azzam and Mushakes, but their experienced crew managed to cling on to the sail ropes and move steadily towards the finish behind Dahees.

Saeed Hareb, managing director, DIMC said after the race: "The Palm Island project actually saved us from a lot of trouble today. Though the wind conditions came closer to 24 knots and waves up to three to five feet, because of the project we managed to run the race in somewhat calmer waters."

The race, which is usually held around seven nautical miles, was reduced to five due to the conditions.

Hareb presented trophies to the three winning crews at a quick function held at the DIMC podium. The third round of the series will be held on Nov. 28.

Results of the second heat:
1. Dahees, 2. Mu'azzam, 3. Mushakes, 4. Al Mushref, 5. Atlas, 6. Al Seyad, 7. Rajam, 8. Al Taf, 9. Heyaf, 10. Al Abir.