Dubai: Skipper Marwan Abdullah Mohammad Al Marzouqi and his crew aboard Zilzal skilfully manipulated the changing winds to win the 26th edition of the Al Gaffal Traditional 60ft Dhow Race, the biggest traditional sailing race in the world, on Friday.
Al Marzouqi said that he is a man who does not like to be beaten. Having taken note of the technical mistake that cost them the race 12 months ago he made every nautical mile count as Zilzal gloriously completed a second triumph in the historic race after 2010’s triumph.
Shermardal, owned by Saeed Mohammad Ahmad Hareb and skippered by Sultan Saeed Hareb, finished in second place while Al Tef, owned by Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Rumaithi and skippered by Khalifa Abed Thani Al Marri was third.
A technical engineer with ADNOC, Al Marzouqi dedicated the victory to Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and the owner of the majestic all-wooden dhow Zilzal.
“This was a hard race and I have to thank my crew who showed great resolve to win this,” he said. “I have sailed in many races but I never thought that it could get as competitive as it was this year,
“Every skipper had done his home work and came into the race full of enthusiasm and determination. Everyone of them wanted to win this because it is the pinnacle of our sport. We knew it was not going to be easy and did everything within our means to cross the line in first place.
“Soon after we won Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad called me to congratulate us on the victory. It’s a very great honour and makes all the hard work that we put in worthwhile,” Al Marzouqi added.
“I also want to dedicate this victory to Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, who has been such a great patron of this race for the past 26 years.”
The Al Gaffal 60ft Dhow Race, which means ‘The Return’, signals the end of the water sports season in the UAE..
Contested by over 200 boats made entirely out of wood, it was contested over a 51-nautical mile course from Sir Bu Na’air — the pearl-shaped island in the north coast of the country near Sharjah — to the finish line near the iconic Burj Al Arab.
1. Zilzal #25
Skipper: Marwan Abdullah Mohammad Al Marzouqi
Owner: Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
2. Shemardal #15
Skipper: Sultan Saeed Hareb
Owner:Saeed Mohammad Ahmad Hareb
3. Al Tef #9
Skipper: Khalifa Abed Thani Al Marri
Owner: Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Rumaithi
