Dubai Dahes looks set to clinch overall honours at the end of the fourth and final round of the Dubai Traditional 22ft Dhow Sailing Championship to be hosted by the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) Friday.
Skippered by Mohammad Abdullah Mohammad Al Marzooqi, Dahes won the first two rounds at the end of last year and finished third in round three earlier this year. A comfortable position in the top five Friday would be enough to hand Dahes the overall title.
However, the leader will be facing stiff competition from a clutch of three boats all with a chance of top honours Friday.
Al Sharid, skippered by Majid Ahmad Khadim Al Muhairi, is in second overall with 13 points, while Sultan Saeed Hareb's Sharmadel has been challenging for the top with 17 points. Also in with a chance is fourth-placed Al Zeeb, skippered by Ebrahim Esmail Al Marzooqi, on 19 points.
"This is the final race of the season and it can go anyone's way depending on the tactics of the sailors out there on the water," Marwan Al Tayer, DIMC committee member in charge of sailing, said.
Today's race has attracted a huge field of 52 boats that will be vying for maximum points in an attempt to get to the podium. The race will start at 3.30pm and will be followed by the prize presentation immediately.
Rowing race postponed
Meanwhile, the fourth heat of the Dubai Traditional Rowing Race Championship that was scheduled to be hosted at the DIMC tomorrow has been postponed.
Sid Bensaleh from the DIMC Racing Committee said that the race had to be pushed forward to another date due to bad weather conditions that will not be suitable for the traditional boats.
