Khalid ends fourth round ahead of Smith on equal points

Dubai: Adel Khalid and Robyn Smith had equal points in the Laser Standard Class at the end of the hard fought fourth round of the UAE National Championships at DIMC.

It was however, Khalid who came out on top with the count back rule and after a regatta that had thrown everything at the two young sailors it was a tough call.

"I sailed in all the major laser regattas in Europe over the summer and got some good results in difficult conditions and it was good training," said Khalid, after his win. "I raced in the Beijing Olympics for the UAE which was a great experience, I really hope to be able to go to London and race in 2012," he added.

"I really needed to win the last race as I knew we were so close on points," said a disappointed Smith, "I felt that I sailed really well though and this just makes me more determined."

Suhail Ali Rashid Al Gilani, from Emirates Sailing School took first place in the Optimist Class ahead of James Griffin from Abu Dhabi International Marine Sailing Club and Harry Bone Knell from Dubai Offshore Sailing Club took the honours in the Optimist Junior Class with Hannah Froud, the only girl on the podium taking second place.

Saeed Salem Al Za'adi took first prize in the Laser 4.7 Class confidently winning four out of the six races ahead of Saif Ebrahim Al Hamadi who both sail for Emirates Sailing School.

With heavy skies and no wind delaying the start of the final day the prediction of big squalls and thunderstorms provoked mixed feelings for the sailors.

"We had choppy conditions and little wind for the first day's races but the sea started to build and we ended up surfing down huge waves in gusts of 20 - 25 knots by the end of day one," said Jon Hemingway from Dubai International Marine Club, who was second behind husband and wife team Peter and Carol Eldridge in the Open Catamaran Class.