|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
23.01.2008
Jumeirah Regatta sails towards new record UAE’s brightest young sailing talent share stage with region’s top fleet racing specialists
The UAE sailing community is preparing for a show of force in next month’s Jumeirah Regatta, now firmly established as one of the highlights of the national sailing calendar and an event with growing international appeal. Sponsored by the Jumeirah Group, the dynamic and fast growing Dubai based luxury hotel management company, the two-day event on 15-16 February will see the UAE’s brightest young sailing talent sharing the stage with many of the most experienced fleet racing specialists in the Emirates, as well as a sprinkling of experienced overseas crew members. Last year’s Jumeirah Regatta attracted a bumper 93 cruisers, dinghies and catamarans, with 260 sailors aboard, and the indications are that the seventh edition next month will set new records as a big contingent from Abu Dhabi again swells the line-up in Dubai. "The regatta is always extremely competitive and great fun for everyone involved, and therefore we are delighted to be sponsoring the event again this year," said Gerald Lawless, Executive Chairman for the Jumeirah Group and a keen member of Mina Seyahi Sailing Club, which will also be strongly represented in the regatta. "Jumeirah will grow its portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts around the world to 57 by 2011. Therefore we anticipate that the regatta will take a strong international flavour in the years to come while staying loyal to the UAE sailing community who have supported us so enthusiastically from the start." The growth of the Jumeirah Regatta into a major event was highlighted by the fact that last year, for the first time since it was launched in 2001, the event attracted more cruiser and catamaran sailors than juniors. Again, this year the event will be run over two courses, one being set off Dubai Offshore Sailing Club for the cruisers and dinghies and the other off Mina Seyahi Sailing Club for the catamarans.
The event turns the spotlight on many of the UAE’s best young sailors. The Jumeirah Regatta title is now a prestigious prize in its own right. The event has extra significance, as it takes place a week before the Maktoum Sailing Trophy and links in perfectly with the fleet racing series for many of the competitors. Last year, Dubai company director Toby O’Connell took his 50-foot yacht Yo! to victory in Division One of the cruiser class just a month after winning the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta in Thailand, Asia’s most prestigious event. Competition will be tough in the cruiser class next month, with around 40 keel boats expected in the regatta line-up, along with around 70 dinghies and 30 catamarans. While some of the young dinghy sailors will be gaining their first serious competitive experience beyond their local club activities, the junior line-up will also include members of the UAE national team who have been gaining great experience at home, and overseas, in recent years. One of them, Adel Khalid, produced a near flawless display last year to capture the laser radial title and more young Emirati sailors will be looking for success in an event attracting entries from Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, Mina Seyahi Sailing Club, Dubai International Marine Club, Emirates Heritage Club Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi International Marine Club and Abu Dhabi Sailing Club. - Tony Lewis, Total Communications Dubai - also photos -
Author: maggy (admin2)
Last modified: Wednesday, 23.01.2008 - 02:27 More reports from this category all copyright automobilsport.com.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Jumeirah Regatta is set to break new records next month.
 |