Abu Dhabi steps back into sailing's limelight next week when more than 150 competitors from 39 countries descend on the UAE capital for the International Sailing Federation's (ISAF) 2015 World Cup Final.
The five-day regatta, taking place from 28 October to 1 November, marks the climax of a journey which began in Melbourne, Australia last December before taking in events in the USA, France, Weymouth, Great Britain and finally, China last month.
The annual series of Olympic sailing returns to Abu Dhabi following a successful first visit last November.
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"This is an event which underlines Abu Dhabi's growing status as an international sailing hub and, at the same time, provides the entire UAE sailing community with a wonderful opportunity to learn from the best sailors in the world,” said H.E. Ahmed Thani Al Romaithi, chairman of Abu Dhabi Sailing & Yacht Club (ADSYC) and UAE Sailing & Rowing Federation (UAE SARF) vice-president.
"We’re very proud of our long and rich maritime history and are equally committed to preserving our heritage and traditions as we are to continue developing Abu Dhabi’s appeal as a destination that attracts sailors from around the world, while nurturing young UAE talent.”
ISAF president Carlo Croce added: “Abu Dhabi proved to be a truly world-class venue last year and we’re excited to be working with our fully committed partners there again to stage the final of the ISAF 2015 World Cup series.
“We share a determination to drive the continued development of sailing in Abu Dhabi and the Gulf region as a whole, and all our qualifiers from around the world are thoroughly looking forward to competing on the World Cup stage in such a wonderful sailing venue.”
Sailors in Abu Dhabi will be competing for World Cup titles in eight of the ten Olympic classes, as well as kitesurfing, and the top three finishers in each will earn a share of a $220,000 prize fund.
ISAF’s top sailing regatta takes place in the waters around Lulu Island off the UAE capital’s Corniche.
The emirate’s rising status in the international sailing world was reinforced by the first World Cup instalment last year, and again when it served as a stopover in the dramatic Volvo Ocean Race, which in June culminated in victory for the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing crew of Azzam.
