Dubai builds sailing model for Olympics: ISAF chief

30 January 2006

DUBAI — Dubai has found an innovative formula for international sailing which could be a model to help boost the sport at the 2008 Olympic Games, ISAF President Goran Petersson believes.

Petersson has been highly impressed by what he has seen while observing the exciting new Dubai Match Race series and the Dubai Junior Regatta yesterday.

The man at the helm for sailing’s world governing body says Dubai has capitalised on its natural assets to present the sport in a competitor, spectator and media-friendly style which should be replicated at the 2008 Olympic competition in China.

Employing the new Olympic Competition Format instigated by the ISAF chief to make top sailing events attractive right to the finish, the Emirates Airline-sponsored Dubai Junior Regatta reached its climax yesterday afternoon on what Peterson sees as a unique stage for the sport.

All the action took place in the emerging arena created between Dubai International Marine Club, the adjacent Le Meridien Mina Seyahi beach side resort and the Palm Jumeirah development.

Determined for sailing to look its best in front of a global Olympic audience, Petersson wants the Chinese organisers of the 2008 Olympic competition at Qingdao to follow Dubai’s example.

“Everything is right here for sailing,” he said.“This is one of the best venues I’ve come across. You have good conditions, a pleasant climate, and the closest I’ve seen to a stadium for sailing.”

“I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen. The people here know exactly what they’re doing. We can copy the way Dubai does things, making events more media friendly, having prize giving ceremonies after the last race of the day, and we will try in China.”

Petersson and HM King Constantine, the world governing body’s President of Honour, watched action in the Dubai Match Race, and the Dubai Junior Regatta, with Saeed Hareb,

Managing Director of Dubai International Marine Club and the regatta’s chief executive, and regatta chairman Sid Bensalah.

Hareb outlined the plans for more sailing developments at DIMC, including a state-of-the art sailing academy opening next year, an extended junior training programme and more international events, with a special emphasis on match racing.