Thirty-eight boats took to Dubai's waters on Sunday for the first Shindagha 22-foot sailing race of the 2026-27 local marine sports season. Kabous 87 and Zurich 120 won the junior and youth classes.
Registration rules set the junior age range at 8 to 16 and the youth range at 8 to 21. A junior boat could also include one youth-category sailor.
Kabous and Zurich take the class titles
Othman Abdulkarim Al Hammadi, owner and navigator of Kabous 87, claimed the junior title. Al Dhafra 77 finished second. Marwan Abdullah Al Mazrouei owned the boat, and Saif Ibrahim Al Zaabi navigated it.
Sarhab 67 placed third in the junior class. Mohamed Sultan Al Mazrouei owned the boat, and Thani Mohamed Sultan Al Mazrouei navigated it.
Zurich 120 won the youth class for owner Khalifa Muhair Saeed Al Mazrouei, with Saeed Ahmed Hamad Al Ghashish Al Marri at the helm. Al Dhib 40 came second. Mohamed Ibrahim Al Mazrouei owned it, and Saeed Sultan Al Dhaheri navigated.
Marban 104 took third. Tariq Abdullah Al Hosani owned the boat, and Shaheen Tariq Al Hosani navigated it. Emarat Al Youm independently confirmed the results and the 38-boat field in a report published on October 11, 2026.
Strong winds tested crews
Strong winds made conditions difficult, Dubai International Marine Sports Club director of sports affairs Mohamed Saif Al Marri said, but the racing remained close. He said crews met technical and organisational requirements. They also followed safety rules.
Before the race, the club scheduled a mandatory briefing for participants on October 9 to explain the technical rules and the route in Dubai's waters. The club's advance announcement described the event as a contest bringing together experienced navigators and young sailors, with entries accepted through electronic channels.
The event's focus on youth development has a parallel in other UAE sports, including a youth basketball programme. The disciplines and competition pathways are distinct.
The club thanked Dubai Police and the Coast Guard for their support. Nunsier Watches was the official timing partner. In VIP Doctor also supported the event.
