The inclusion of a new match racing series will add another dimension to this month's Dubai Junior Regatta, the world's biggest junior sailing event, which is attracting a record number of competitors from the Middle East and overseas.
Sponsored by Emirates Airline and taking place from January 22-29, the event sees the top young sailing talent from the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait and Qatar pitting their skills against the best in the world.
Taking place under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman of Emirates, the Dubai Junior Regatta is organised by Dubai International Marine Club in conjunction with the UAE Marine Sports Federation and the ISAF, the world governing body of sailing.
With more than 130 competitors from 18 nations lining up to contest the Optimist and Laser 4.7 events, this year the regatta expands to include an open international match racing series for challengers of all ages. This will swell the overall regatta line-up to well over a record 200 participants.
The Dubai Match Race will be contested by 12 to 16 teams sailing the newly-designed V1/Lutra-30 Sport Boat, a high-performance racing boat built in Dubai especially for the event.
The Dubai Junior Regatta is co-sponsored by Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina, the official hotel, Marine Pool and V1 Advanced Composite Technologies. Other official suppliers are Trek, Al Boom Marine, Dubai's Victory Team Duboats, El Mundo, Nordist and Olimpic Sails.
Holland will return to defend the Dubai Trophy after winning the overall team award last year while South Africa will be aiming to retain the Laser title they captured ahead of the Dutch and Bahrain.
Sweden also return to Dubai to defend the Optimist crown after dominating the class last year while second-placed Denmark and third-placed Switzerland will also send teams again.
The Dubai Match Race will provide vital competitive experience for the two UAE national teams preparing for next year's Asian Games in Doha. Opposition is already confirmed from New Zealand, Germany, Holland, India, Italy, Kuwait and Qatar.
Britain's Tony Lockett, principle race officer for sailing events at the Athens Olympics, will head a 14-strong panel of race officials in Dubai.
Separate courses will be set for the Optimist and Laser 4.7 events and there will be 14 races in all.
Reinforcing the Middle East challenge, Egypt has named a team of six, with Bahrain sending five, and Qatar and Kuwait four each.
Completing the regatta line-up will be teams from Belgium, France, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Italy, Malta, Mauritius and Russia.
Beginning officially with the arrival of the visiting teams from around the world to start practice on January 22, the events combine an intense race programme commencing on January 26 with a variety of social events in store as well to make it a unique sailing festival.