Dubai sailors clinch Standard Chartered Challenge

Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (DOSC) won the Standard Chartered Challenge Cup with a dominant performance against Abu Dhabi Sailing Club (ADSC) on Saturday reliving a traditional rivalry revived after nearly three decades.

Of the 38 races, hosts DOSC emerged victorious in 35, in the second leg held in Dubai.

The celebrated inter-club event was revived this year following a 27-year break. The first leg at the Abu Dhabi Sailing club was also won by the Dubai sailors who had Bahrain Olympian Sami Kooheji in their ranks.

DOSC received the winner’s trophy from Clive Haswell, Chief Information Officer, Standard Chartered MENAP.

Sailors competed for the entire day in a bid to win the Cup with races being held for three categories of boats - vega, bahia and laser.

Nick Frisk of DOSC attributed their success to working as a team and getting a good start.

"It was all about the start. Sami and I went well as a team. Even if we were in two different boats, we were communicating with each other," said Frisk who was surprised by their outstanding win.

"We didn't expect to do so well," he said.

Asked about the racing conditions, he said: "Morning it was difficult because wind wasn't settled. Once we got back out in afternoon, it was steady."

James Harris, one of the organisers of the race, said "it was very good contest on all fleets" despite the one-sided performance.

Apart from Kooheji and Frisk, 15-year-old Rupert Jagtiani from Germany also shone in the lasers.

The youngest members of DOSC, Harry Bone Knell and Oscar Lindley Smith, both 12 also came in for praise from Harris, as did Alicia Face, 14.

“Sailing has always been part of the way of life here and we are pleased to relive the excitement and fun of this contest, which is almost as old as the UAE itself. We would like to congratulate all the participants from Dubai Offshore Sailing Club and Abu Dhabi Sailing Club,” said Jonathan Morris, CEO of Standard Chartered UAE.

The sailing challenge was inaugurated in 1973 and was initially sponsored by Chartered Bank.

The inter-club competition, which was held twice a year until 1984 with the last one being won by the ADSC, was revived this year with a new name, the Standard Chartered Challenge Cup.

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