More than 80 sixty-foot traditional Arabian dhow sailing boats were on regal display this week 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 Destination Village on the Corniche breakwater, 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,” said Al Marar. “Having the Puma team onboard was very interesting, they fit right in.

Although, talking to them, I wouldn’t want to do the Volvo Ocean Race, that sounds very tough.”

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.

For more information on the Abu Dhabi stopover, visit www.volvooceanraceabudhabi.com