Volvo Laser SB3 Middle East Grand Prix

Round 2 – Al Hamra Village Marina, Ras Al Khaimah

23rd – 24th November

Event Overview

Held at the newly opened Al Hamra Village Marina, on the 23rd and 24th November, Round Two of the Volvo Laser SB3 Middle East Grand Prix proved to be another exciting chapter in this evolving Grand Prix Circuit. With outstanding on water facilities and the promise of further expansions in the near future it proved an excellent base for the weekends racing.

Al Hamra proved an exciting arena for both offshore and onshore activities, with the crews appreciating the challenges of the Al Hamra Golf Resort Driving Range over a few refreshing beverages at the Dunes Terrace once racing had wound up for the day, not to mention the bountiful BBQ that accompanied the Prize Giving Ceremony on the 24th November.

Special thanks must go to the logistical support from Volvo, with the Grand Prix Series XC90’s proving invaluable in transporting the fleet to the Northern Emirates, also to Chris White, General Manager of Al Hamra Golf Club and Marina, for all his support in organising this event and making his facilities available to us for the weekend.

Race Report

Day One – Light morning desert breezes matured through the mid-morning into a promising sea breeze gaining strength and maintaining direction as Race One got under way at approximately 1pm. This was true Grand Prix style Short Course Racing, with course lengths set between 0.4 and 0.6 nautical miles with up to four laps contested in each race. The emphasis was on smooth crew work and fault-free execution of mark rounding’s and tactical fleet play up wind. By late afternoon Jonathan Hill had exerted his dominance on the day’s proceedings with two bullets from three races, DeVere Racing picking up the win in the second race. Markus Fiala was snapping at their heals with two 2nds onboard Petite Tazo, and the ever consistent Team Premier Composites, Series Leaders after Round One, sitting in third place with 5,3,2.

Day Two – Stronger morning pressure off the desert delayed the arrival and strength of the sea breeze for day two, though there were no complaints from those looking for a little weekend tan, with another stunningly clear and sunny 31C day greeting all competitors and officials. Renowned local race officer Brian Hooper was keen to get the proceedings underway and with 5 knots he launched Race Four at approximately 12:30pm. Again following the shorter course strategy of Day One, the fleet quickly split in search of fickle zephyrs. Team Premier Composites quickly asserted their strength with two quick bullets, but it was Team Laser with Tom Pratt at the helm who surprised with a consistent 2,3,2, making the most of their lighter crew weight and often leading to the top mark but unable to find the downwind pace to hold off the likes of Hannes Waimer and Jonathan Hill who between them walked away with five of the six victories.

Round Three of the Volvo Laser SB3 Middle East Grand Prix sees crews shift their focus to the waters off the Abu Dhabi Corniche. To be held on the 14th – 15th December it is already shaping up to be a cracking weekend of racing, with the prospect of new teams, and some breezier conditions already whetting the sailors appetites.

Round Four and the arrival of the New Year sees the crews take flight to the Indian Ocean Coast of Oman, for two days of spectacular racing along the jagged coastline of the nations capital, Muscat, on the 25th – 26th January.

Round Five and the series shifts its focus back to the UAE, but this time to the East Coast port city of Fujairah. Renowned for its fishing and abundance of shipping, it will be an interesting test for crews and race officials alike.

Round Six, the Grand Final, and it’s all eyes on the Dubai International Boat Show 2008, with racing being held in and around the world famous Palm Jumeirah development over the Boat Show Weekend 14th-15th March 2008, it will be a fitting climax for this One Design Grand Prix Series.