World’s top Volvo Ocean Race sailors take part in mega dhow race festival
More than 80 sixty foot traditional Arabian dhow sailing boats were on regal display yesterday in Abu Dhabi for a $1 million race to the UAE capital, as part of the fortnight long celebrations around the Volvo Ocean Race – the gruelling 39,000 nautical mile round the world ‘Everest of Sailing’.
Sailing a 16 nautical mile sprint course which finished at the Corniche breakwater - where Abu Dhabi’s Volvo Ocean Race ‘Destination Village’ entertainment centre is based - the race was eventually won by Mohamed Rashed Shaheen Al Marar, who also had members of Volvo Ocean Race-contesting outfit Puma Ocean Racing onboard.
“We had to use a lot of tactics to win, as the wind was slow, maybe seven or eight knots to start. It is great to win, we have had a lot of victories and to take this one as well is great. Having the Puma team onboard was very interesting, they fitted right in. Although, talking to them, I wouldn’t want to do the Volvo Ocean Race, that sounds very tough,” said Al Marar.
Racing as part of the Abu Dhabi Sailing Festival, the race also gave the Volvo Ocean Race crews a chance to try their hands at traditional sailing techniques. Swapping their Volvo Open 70 race yachts, the world’s fastest monohulls, for Arabian dhows – renowned as one of the sturdiest vessels afloat - was an unforgettable experience for the more than 15 international sailors, many of which hold world records, Olympic medals and countless sailing titles.
“This was my first time on a dhow, it was a magical experience. Mainly we were used as ballast but they were kind enough to let me steer the boat over the finish line to snatch the win,” said Puma’s navigator, Tom Addis.
Organised by the Abu Dhabi Sailing & Yacht Club (ADSYC), the race is just one of a number of on-water activities being staged around the emirate’s historic hosting of the Volvo Ocean Race fleet, its sea hardened sailors and more than 100,000 fans.
On Tuesday (10th January), another dhow race – this time in the 22ft category with crews made up of young Emiratis under the guidance of adults – will take place inside the Corniche bay. Running from the Hiltonia Beach Club to Lulu Island and back, the race – a unique feeder event to encourage grass-roots sailing – looks set to be a colourful spectacle as every sail will be branded in UAE colours.
Away from the dhow racing, ADSYC’s Watersports World provides people of all ages with great opportunities to get involved with sailing, paddleboarding and kayaking.
And the Try Sailing initiative – which aims to give 14,000 children between ten and 12 years old around the world the chance to go afloat in a sailboat for the first time – has also called into Abu Dhabi. A fleet of branded 5.6 metre Ludic dinghies have been brought to Abu Dhabi and have been set aside for local children to get out on the water and have some fun as they learn the basics of sailing in a safe and enjoyable environment. To book a place, make your way to the Destination Village and check in at the Volvo Ocean Race Academy desk.
On the Destination Village beach, PUMA is offering stand up paddleboarding sessions every day until 14th January. Running from 11am – 5pm, the sessions are completely free to the public – all you need to take part is a swimming costume. Life jackets will be provided upon request. Interested parties can check out the PUMA Ocean Racing Facebook page for a full list of activities.
For fans intent on keeping their feet dry, there are plenty of other marine-themed entertainment options in the Destination Village, including The Ride, a state-of-the-art simulator that gives the feeling of being bombarded by strong winds and spray onboard a Volvo Open 70 yacht at speed in extreme conditions.
The Abu Dhabi ‘Destination Village’ opens daily free of charge from 11am to 11pm, and to 12 midnight on weekends.
For more information on the Abu Dhabi stopover, please visit www.volvooceanraceabudhabi.com
