Registration Opens For Al Yassat 60ft Dhow Sailing Race With New Challenging Course

The Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club has begun accepting entries for the Al Yassat 60ft Dhow Sailing Race and the 22ft Qaffay Dhow Race. These events are part of the Al Yassat Marine Festival, organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club. The festival will occur in two phases: from 12th to 14th December and from 19th to 21st December.

The organising committee highlighted that introducing a new course for this year's 60ft race is a significant step. The race will start at Delma Island, pass through Al Yassat Island, and finish at Al Sila. This route covers 37 nautical miles or about 70 kilometres, making it one of the longest races in its category.

The committee explained that adopting this extended route is part of efforts to enhance traditional maritime racing. It aims to strengthen its presence in historically significant marine environments. The longer course demands advanced navigation skills, increasing competitiveness among participants.

According to the organising committee, "The Al Yassat 60ft Dhow Sailing Race reflects the Club’s commitment to supporting and sustaining traditional maritime competitions by adopting longer sea routes that align with the authentic navigation practices known to the people of the UAE. The new course - from Delma to Al Sila - offers participants an elevated competitive experience and reinforces the presence of maritime heritage within national festivities."

The strong interest in registration underscores the race's importance and prestige among dhow captains and sailors. This enthusiasm highlights how valued these traditional maritime competitions are within the community.

The final date for the race will be announced later this week after completing all technical and logistical arrangements. Participants can expect a challenging yet rewarding experience as they navigate this newly introduced course.

With inputs from WAM