Under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan .. The Fifth Historice Dalma Race Festival from May 7

Under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan..

The fifth Dalma Traditional Sailing Festival from May 7

Prize fund of Dh25million and three cars for the winners

Several side events to enjoy for the visitors at the Heritage Village

 

The fifth Dalma Traditional Sailing Festival under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative of the Al Dhafra region, takes place from May 7, it was announced.

The 60-foot traditional dhow race with a prize fund of Dh25million is the highlight of the annual event organised by the Abu Dhabi Culture and Heritage Festivals and Programs Management Committee in association with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

The schedule of the festival was announced at the Mohammed Khalaf Majlis in Abu Dhabi on Monday, April 18, in the presence of Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Sailing and Rowing Federation, Chairman of the Kite Surf Committee, Majid Ateeq Al Muhairi, Vice Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee of the fifth Dalma Traditional Sailing Festival, and Issa Seif Al Mazrouei, Vice Chairman of the Culture and Heritage Festivals and Programs Management Committee in Abu Dhabi.

The event is set to take place at the Dalma Island from May 7-20, with the race dates to be decided according to the weather conditions. More than 3,000 sailors will be taking part in the dhow race covering a distance of over 80 nautical miles (125km).

Registration is open from 19 to 28 April with technical meeting for sailors will be held under the supervision of the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club.

The Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club revealed the Dh25 million prize fund will be shared by the first 100 boats to finish the race, making it most the biggest prize money in the history for the traditional dhow races in the region.

The winner will receive Dh1.3million, the runner-up Dh1 million and the third place Dh800,000. Three cars will also be included to the first three places in the race.

The race takes off from the historical Dalma Island and passes through seven spectacular islands, namely Sir Bani Yas, Ghasha Island, followed by the passage of Umm Al Turkm Island, Al Fatayer, Al Buzam, Marawah and Janana Island before finishing at the Port City.

The festival will not be limited to the traditional race as a number of side events and valuable prizes to win by taking part in various competitions for the visitors at the Heritage Village organised by the residents and community of Dalma Island.

The festival has achieved unparalleled successes in its past four editions, in light of the support of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed.