Over 120 dhow boats to compete in 3rd Al Gaffal 60ft Traditional Dhow Sailing Race
DUBAI, 17 May (BelTA — Emirates News Agency) — All focus goes to the
33rd Al Gaffal 60ft Traditional Dhow Sailing Race with over 120 dhow
boats having confirmed their participation.
The great race, now
in its 33rd edition, was founded by the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al
Maktoum and has been organised by the Dubai International Marine Club
since 1991. It commences from Sir Bu Nair Island, passes through Moon
Island, and concludes at the Dubai shore, covering a race distance of
more than 50 nautical miles.
The higher organising committee said
123 dhow boats have confirmed their participation for tomorrow’s big
race. They will all raise their white sails on the waters of the Arabian
Gulf, retracing the path of their forefathers’ past as they return home
from diving and fishing trips in search of abundant livelihoods.
Marine
sports enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the unfolding of tomorrow’s big
event and the crowning of the champion for the 33rd edition of the Al
Gaffal Race, wherein 19 boats have already made their mark in the race’s
history since its founding year in 1991 up until the 32nd edition last
year.
The initial three years (1991, 1992, and 1993) included the
43ft dhow boat category, until 1994 when the race became dedicated
solely to the 60ft dhow boat category.
The winners in the first
three years in the 43ft dhow boat category are: Al Aweer 47 (1991),
Fares 46 (1992), and Al Aziyab 22 (1993), emerging victorious.
The
first 60ft dhow race was won by Mansour 36, and subsequently by boats
including Barraq 30 (4 times), Serdal 83 (2 times), Al Ghayoon 17, Das
45, Al Raed 92, Al Zeer 16 (4 times), Ghazi 103 (5 times), Atlas 12, Al
Qaffay 4, Zilzal 25 (3 times), Al Sahel 31, Buraq 33, Al Shaqi 96, the
defending champion last year Namran 211 (2 times), and Hasheem 199.
