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Dubai: Sultan Hareb skippered Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Shamardel to win the opening heat of the 22ft Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Championship held at the Mina Seyahi on Wednesday.
Using all his experience and calm-thinking, Hareb guided his 22ft dhow to the finish line ahead of Sayeb 1 skippered by Saeed Ahmad Khadim Al Muhairi, and Rejam skippered by Khalid Tarish Atiq Al Qubaisi.
Saeed Hareb, Managing Director, DIMC and CEO, Mina Seyahi presented the trophies to the top three finishers immediately after the race.
"From the start I had told my friends that we would need to stay cool and calculated while also having fun out there on the water. Once the winds dropped, I changed my course and took the risks," Hareb told Gulf News.
"Most often sailors tend to follow the pack ahead. But I was certain that I would have to rely on my experience and read the winds properly before making my move," Hareb added.
For Saeed Hareb, it was a double celebration to see the hearty response to the race and to see his son win the top prize.
Confident
"We can only get better with this race. I am confident that this championship will see an even better participation," Hareb stated.
"We are grateful to the leadership of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and to the personal interest shown by Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum," Hareb added.
Sultan Hareb was in 13th place at the first buoy. But he steered into mid-course and the risk paid off as he caught the right gust to proceed straight towards the finish line opposite the Burj Al Arab with Sayeb 1 and Rejam in close pursuit.
"At the end of the day it is the tactics that one adopts and not merely sailing that matters," Sultan said.
Yesterday's dhow sailing heat marked the second day of the ten-day Sea Dubai Watersports Festival that will run at the Mina Seyahi till December 13.
The Sea Dubai Watersports Festival was announced by Shaikh Majid, the Chairman of the Culture and Arts Authority last week.
Besides more traditional forms of watersports like sailing and rowing, the festival will also embrace the final two rounds of the UIM/WPPA Class One Offshore World Powerboat Championship to be held over the next two weekends at Mina Seyahi.
Action at the Sea Dubai Watersports Festival will continue today with the 43ft dhow sailing heat from 2.30pm.
By Alaric GomesSenior Reporter
Dubai The defending world champion Aref Zafein feels Victory 1 can keep the title in Dubai as the boats prepare for the penultimate round of the UIM/WPPA Class One World Powerboat Championship at Mina Seyahi this weekend.
Victory 1, with Nader Bin Hendi and the experienced Mohammad Al Merri, is just eight points away from an eighth Class One world title.
Victory 7 with rookie Abdullah Al Muhairbi and the tried and tested Jean Marc Sanchez is in second, just 15 points adrift of the leaders.
"I have a feeling they [Al Merri and Bin Hendi] will take the world title this week itself," Al Zafein told Gulf News. "We have been a team, a unit that has functioned together," Al Zafein said.
"There are other big teams in the fray, but the professionalism and teamwork of the Victory Team has shown through," he added.
"And then I also think that we had a big chunk of luck favouring us this season."
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