The Dubai International Marine Club organised the 43ft Dubai Harbour Traditional Dhow Sailing Race on October 31 2026 as the second round of the local sailing boats category within the 2026-2027 marine sports season. Hashim 153 secured the championship title after a tactical battle that kept the lead positions undecided until the final approach to the finish line according to the Emirates News Agency. The event drew competitors from across the UAE who navigated the course using vessels built to strict traditional specifications that prohibit modern materials in key structural elements.
Hashim 153 is owned by Abdullah Mohammed Al Marzouqi and was captained by Hassan Abdullah Al Marzouqi. Namran owned by the same individual but captained by Omar Abdullah Al Marzouqi crossed the line in second place while Zilzal owned and skippered by Marwan Abdullah Al Marzouqi took third. The Emirates News Agency reported that the three leading boats remained in close contention for much of the distance with tactical sail adjustments proving decisive in the later stages.
Thirty-five dhows started the race and all reached the finish line successfully which the Dubai International Marine Club described as an indicator of the high technical standards and experience among captains and crews. The club said this universal completion rate demonstrated the participants’ ability to handle the race variables effectively across the full course. Previous rounds in the same series have shown similar completion trends as the season progresses.
Mohammed Al Marri the director of the sports activities department at the Dubai International Marine Club said the race featured strong and close competition that continued until the final stages. Al Marri added that the comparable levels among the boats reflected the technical expertise of the captains and sailors and their capacity to read race conditions and choose suitable strategies. The director’s assessment was included in a statement released after the event by the Emirates News Agency.
The Dubai International Marine Club was established in 1988 to centralise watersports activities and promote traditional maritime skills according to the club’s historical records. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum initiated the first Al Gaffal long-distance dhow race in 1991 to commemorate the historical return of pearling fleets from Sir Bu Nair Island a tradition that has since expanded into a full season of events for both 43ft and 60ft classes. Federation data shows the 43ft category featured in the inaugural three editions of the Al Gaffal before the introduction of a dedicated 60ft class in 1994.
The current series builds on more than three decades of such competitions with the Dubai International Marine Club recording growing participation numbers across its traditional racing calendar. A review of past seasons by the Emirates News Agency indicates that multiple boats from the Al Marzouqi family have consistently featured in podium positions underscoring the depth of expertise in this competitive field. The races continue to adhere to rules requiring wooden hull construction specific sail designs and no auxiliary motors in line with the original pearling vessel configurations.