Dubai: The stage is set for the Sea Dubai RC44 Gold Cup, which starts on Tuesday.
Ten teams representing nine countries will participate in the event being held at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC).
While three teams — Aqua (UAE), Ceeref (SLO) and host team Sea Dubai — have local experience, it will be a totally new platform and challenge for the other seven competing teams.
The arrival of two boats in March 2006 marked the first ever event of RC44 Class.
In 2007 eight boats returned to complete the first championship, with UAE-based Team Aqua winning the top prize.
Owned by local businessman Chris Bake who teamed up with pro skipper Cameron Appleton, Team Aqua has had considerable success and is well placed for a good result when the championship ends on November 29.
Good run
Team Ceeref have also had a good run, joining half way through the 2007 season they went on to take a second place overall in 2008 and owner Igor Lah is in a good position in the present tour with pro skipper Sebastien Col.
Team Sea Dubai is owned by the DIMC with pro skipper Markus Wieser at the helm. Markus is fuelled from his recent win with Sea Dubai teammate Matti Paschen in the Dragon European Championships in St. Tropez.
The team has been practicing daily and making good use of the time running up to the start of the competition
