Fancy a day by the seaside this weekend? Perfect, because the boats of this year’s EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour are coming to town and will be expecting lots of fanfare from Abu Dhabians as they zip into the harbour hunting for valuable points at the end of Leg 3, meant to be the longest and fastest of the seven-stage tour from Bahrain to Oman.
After arriving today (Thursday) and catching up on lost sleep – it is unlikely that they would’ve got any over the leg because of the conditions – expect to see some drama as the nine crews compete in fierce in-port racing from 11:00am on Saturday just in front of the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club on the Breakwater.
Racing to seven beautiful marinas in the Gulf, this event is really gathering momentum. But for those just getting into their sailing, Sailing Arabia – The Tour is a yacht race competed on the Farr 30 onedesign boats.
It started in Manama (Bahrain) before stopping in Doha (Qatar), Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Musandam (Oman), Musannah (Oman) and will end at The Wave, Muscat (Oman).
Taking place over two weeks this month, the Tour offers a perfect warm-weather regatta for teams looking to escape the cold winter in Europe, North America or Asia.
Bertrand Pacé, skipper of Dubai’s Team AISM said: “I like the mixture of inshore and offshore – it is good for us.
“This time of year we don’t have that much sailing we can do [in Europe] so this is good practice for us. It is a perfect two weeks.”
What started as an alternative Gulf region event to the Tour de France à la Voile has now turned into a regional sporting property that attracts some of the best sailing talent in the world, making Oman and the GCC a sought-after winter venue in the international sailing calendar.
On board you will find, and may even get to meet, some inspirational skippers and crew, like the UAE’s very own Adil Khaled, best known for sailing around the world as part of the crew aboard Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing in the last Volvo Ocean Race and who is this year a part of an all-Emirati crew for the first time ever.
As for Pacé, he is a former America’s Cup helmsman and comes into this event with the hope of repeating his first place success here in 2011.
Females are being well represented too and Britain’s Dee Caffari is skippering the only all-female crew aboard Al-Thuraya Bank Muscat. Caffari is the first woman ever to sail non-stop singlehanded around the world both eastabout and westabout.
Also in action is Oman’s Mohsin Al Busaidi, the first Arab to sail non-stop around the world and who is skippering the Renaissance Team boat this year.
As excitement builds at the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club for the arrival of the region’s only long distance offshore race, Issa Al Ismaili, director of events of race organiser, Oman Sail said: “In three short years EFG Bank Sailing Arabia – The Tour has been firmly established on the international and regional sailing calendar, known for intense and competitive legs such as this between Doha and Abu Dhabi.
“Sailing is in the blood of the region. It is our passion representing our past but also the future and thanks to the tour.
“Racing against nature as the best sailing talent in the GCC and elite sailors around the world offers go head to head is an unrivalled experience to develop new skills and prepare sailors to compete at the highest level.
“We look forward to the safe arrival and warm welcome of the crews in Abu Dhabi,” he concluded.
Walk with your UAE flags and plenty of sun block or sun tan lotion because this is going to be one thrilling day at the beach for all spectators, as well as skippers and crew.
FACTFILE:
WHAT: In-Port Racing in Abu Dhabi for Sailing Arabia – The Tour 2013
WHEN: Saturday, February 16; 11:00am
WHERE: Abu Dhabi Sailing & Yacht Club
COST: Free Sport360°
VERDICT: Welcome local boys like Adil Khalid back in town as they compete in one of the longest stretches of the seven-leg tour. Plus, if you haven’t yet seen in-port racing, you’re going to love it; it’s full of action and suspense.
CONTACT: www.sailingarabiathetour.com
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