The ISAF Sailing World Cup is coming to Abu Dhabi for the championship’s final regatta of 2015. With the season having kicked off in Melbourne in December 2014, the fleet has competed in Miami, Hyeres, Weymouth and Portland, and Qingdao.
Learn all there is to know about one of sailing’s biggest events.
Overview Ten Olympic sailing categories will compete in Abu Dhabi, with an open kiteboarding event joining the programme.
There will be 20 boats racing in each event. The ten Olympic events will contest an opening series and a Medal Race with the kiteboard fleet using a short track format.
The ISAF Sailing World Cup is open to the sailing classes chosen for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Competitions in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and has this year attracted more than 2,000 of the world's leading sailors from over 75 nations.
Those who go into action in Abu Dhabi will be competing for World Cup titles in eight of the ten Olympic classes, as well as kitesurfing, and the top three finishers in each will earn a share of a US $220,000 (Dh810,000 appx) prize fund.
When Tuesday, October 27 to Sunday, November 1, 2015. Event begins at 11.30am
Where Breakwater, between the Corniche and Lulu Island, Abu Dhabi
How much You can watch the racing for free
Where to watch The base for the fleet is at the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club opposite Marina Mall. It’s a great place to watch the regatta from as you’ll be in the thick of the action. You can also watch the regatta from anywhere along the Corniche.
Alternatively, you could hold up in the Le Boulanger, the Arabic restaurant which overlooks the Breakwater. It will be quite some way from the racing itself, but close to the marina.
Parking If you're planning on watching from Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club then you can park in their car park or at Marina Mall (5 minutes walk). If you are watching from the Corniche then use one of the many car parks. They are Dh2 per hour except on Friday, when they are free.
Classes The following classes will be competing in the regatta:
| Discipline | Type | Boat class |
|---|---|---|
| Fleet racing | Men | 470 |
| Fleet racing | Women | 470 |
| Fleet racing | Men | 49er |
| Fleet racing | Women | 49erFX |
| Fleet racing | Men | Finn |
| Kiteboarding | Open | IKA - Formula Kite |
| Fleet racing | Men | Laser |
| Fleet racing | Women | Laser Radial |
| Fleet racing | Mixed | Nacra 17 |
| Fleet racing | Men | RS:X |
| Fleet racing | Women | RS:X |
Entrants You can view the complete list of entrants for the regatta here.
Weather Sea breezes are consistent, and no days are expected to be missed due to lack lack of wind. Expected conditions consist of outflow in the morning, with which racing is not due to occur. Breezes are usually around 8-12 knots.
The breeze normally picks up at 11.30am, and stabilizes at around 1pm, flowing until dark 5.30pm. Sailors should expect relatively flat water and no tide. The longest sail to a course area should be no more than 15 minutes.
