Yo! takes lead in Division One of Maktoum Trophy
by Gulf Times Staff reporter on 20 Feb 2007
Toby O’Connell at the helm of Yo! SW
The Maktoum Sailing Trophy, comprising a Regatta of 10 in-shore races and one offshore passage race for individual yachts kicked off this morning.
Winds were not favourable when the boats took off to sea at 11.30 am and the race was forced to commence an hour later.
Split into three divisions, races will be held offshore as well as inshore with 26 teams in the fray. The series has been given a new 10-day format as a deliberate move by Dubai International Marine Club to attract more overseas competitors and usher in a new level of competitive fleet racing in the Gulf.
In the overall winnings for Division I, Yo! skippered by Toby O'Connell did well to gain three points and occupy the first position.
Marco Zancope in Virgo Bellica and Loon, skippered by Jeroen Leenan, are in the second and third places, respectively.
In the second division, Spirit of Juniper took the first place followed by Shahrazad and Kenavo in second and third places, respectively.
The second division features an all-UAE national team in Faaz, skippered by Adel Khalid and his two brothers, all of whom have graduated from the DIMC Youth Sailing Programme. On board is first timer Mustafa Al Zarooni, who described the course as tough and complicated. 'It will be a new challenge again tomorrow', he added.
For the first time in the short history of the event, an all-women team from Italy is sailing under the Eureka Group sailing team, under the captaincy of European champion Cristiana Monina.
Full story at: http://www.gulfnews.com/sport/Sailing/10105555.html
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