News

Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra Region, Al Sila City, December 5, 2024: The Al Sila Dhow Sailing Race for the 43-foot category, one of the most prominent events of the Al Sila Marine Festival, delivered thrilling moments right up to the finish line. The race concluded with the dhow Zurich 156, owned by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and captained by Nukhatha Khalifa Mehair Al Mazrouei, claiming first place after an exceptional performance that combined speed and precision in challenging maritime conditions.

The competition was intense between Zurich 156 and Ghazi 103, captained by Nukhatha Ahmed Saeed Salem Al Rumaithi. The winner was not decided until the final meters of the race, keeping spectators on edge with moments of pure excitement. Despite a remarkable effort, Ghazi 103 finished in second place after a strong and commendable performance.

In third place was Al Ezz 71, captained by Nukhatha Abdullah Ahmed Khamis Al Muhairi, who demonstrated great professionalism and maintained a consistent performance throughout the race, securing a spot on the podium.

The audience was deeply engaged, thanks to tracking technology that allowed them to monitor the dhows’ movements in real-time from the start of the race to the finish line. The vibrant interaction, whether from the shoreline or through digital platforms, highlighted the excitement of the event and added an extra layer of enthusiasm and passion to the competition.

The award ceremony, held in a festive atmosphere, was attended by Saeed Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Director of the Al Sila Marine Festival, and Khalifa Al Suwaidi, the race’s general supervisor, who presented the prizes and honored the winners for their outstanding performances.

This edition of the race reflects the authentic maritime spirit and fierce sportsmanship, reaffirming the Al Sila Marine Festival's status as one of the region’s premier maritime events. The integration of advanced technologies further enriched the spectators' experience, strengthening their connection to the event.