Traditional 43ft Dhows at Dubai International Marine Club

43ft Traditional Dhow racing in Dubai © Sharon Allison

43ft Traditional Dhow racing in Dubai © Sharon Allison

Muqasas triumphs over defender

An exciting win for Muqasas in ideal conditions put defending champion Burraq in second place and last year’s runner up Seda’a in to third position for the first heat of the Dubai Traditional 43 ft Dhow Sailing Championships 2009. The format of the Championship includes one long race for each of the four heats. Today’s 15-knot west northwesterly wind took the fleet on a one leg cross wind course for thirteen kilometers along the Dubai coastline to arrive at the finish line next to Port Rashid.

A pre-race wind shift forced the race committee to move the start further offshore and set a kilometer long start line next to Jebel Ali Port. The shift made extra work for the support boats that tow the dhows to the line and with over a hundred dhows on the start line today, it was a huge operation and one Saeed Harib, Race Officer and CEO of the organizers, Dubai International Marine Club is particularly proud.

Jury boats police the start and rules are strict. Sails must remain furled until flares at each end of the line signal the start and as that happens an explosion of white sails erupts setting the fleet free.

Groups of boats formed on the water but eight dhows that started at the top of the course took a lead and as the fleet neared Port Rashid dropping below the World Islands a funnel effect formed and a procession of dhows glided past the awe inspiring modern skyline of Dubai in a testimonial of a rich and safe heritage. ‘The numbers of dhows is increasing,’ said Saeed Harib, ‘about eight years ago we introduced the 22ft dhow as a training boat for the youth and it has been a big success. The youngsters learn to sail on the 22ft dhow and then join family members and friends on the 43 or 60 ft classes.’

Overall Results: