Image copyright Ashraf Al Amra.
by Sharon Allison
Adel Khalid and Robyn Smith had equal points in the Laser Standard Class at the end of the hard fought fourth round of the UAE National Championships at DIMC. But it was Khalid who came out on top with the count back rule and after a regatta that had thrown everything at the two young sailors it was a tough call. ‘I sailed in all the major laser regattas in Europe over the summer and got some good results in difficult conditions and it was good training,’ said Khalid, after his win. ‘I raced in the Beijing Olympics for the UAE which was a great experience, I really hope to be able to go to London and race in 2012,’ he concluded. ‘I really needed to win the last race as I knew we were so close on points,’ said a disappointed Smith, ‘I felt that I sailed really well though and this just makes me more determined.’
Suhail Ali Rashid Al Ghilani, from Emirates Sailing School took first place in the Optimist Class ahead of James Griffin from Abu Dhabi International Marine Sailing Club and Harry Bone Knell from Dubai Offshore Sailing Club took the honours in the Optimist Junior Class with Hannah Froud, the only girl on the podium taking second place. Saeed Salem Al Zaadi took first prize in the Laser 4.7 Class confidently winning four out of the six races ahead of Saif Ibrahim Al Hamadi who both sail for Emirates Sailing School.
Image copyright Ashraf Al Amra.
With heavy skies and no wind delaying the start of the final day the prediction of big squalls and thunderstorms provoked mixed feelings for the sailors. ‘We had choppy conditions and little wind for the first days races but the sea started to build and we ended up surfing down huge waves in gusts of 20 - 25 knots by the end of day one,’ said Jon Hemingway from Dubai International Marine Club, who was helming in the Open Catamaran fleet. ‘It certainly wasn’t for the faint hearted and conditions today were the reverse, wild seas and screaming wind once we got started and then the wind died again,’ he added after taking his second place prize behind husband and wife team Peter and Carol Eldridge who were winners of the Open Catamaran Class.
Members of the UAE Sailing & Rowing Federation attended the race and Sheikh Khalid Zayed S Al Nehayan, President of the Federation awarded the trophies to the winners.
Results
Image copyright Ashraf Al Amra.
Laser Standard
Place Name Club Points
1st Adel Khali ESS 7
2nd Robyn Smith DOSC 7
3rd Jan Larkens DOSC 18
Laser 4.7
1st Saeed Salem Al Zaadi ESS 6
2nd Saif Ibrahim Al Hamadi ESS 8
3rd Harry Knight DOSC 17
Optimist
1st Suhail Ali Rashed Al Ghilani ESS 15
2nd James Griffin ADIMSC 18
3rd H’mood Salam Al Zaidi ESS 18
Optimist Junior
1st Harry Bone-Knell DOSC 21
2nd Hannah Froud DOSC 32
3rd Oscar Lindley Smith ADIMSC 35
Open Catamaran
1st Peter & Carol Eldridge DIMC 8
2nd Jon Hemingway & Jamie Eldridge DIMC 10
3rd Henry Clark DIMC 20
Dubai International Marine Club
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