A royal regatta

Raising the bar again in 2008, the Maktoum Sailing Trophy provided close racing for crews from afar.

Given the astounding pace of development we experience on a daily basis here in the UAE, we shouldn't be surprised at how the Maktoum Sailing Trophy has grown in the last four years.

Even when put in the context of the growth of its host city - brainchild of the event's patron - the progress of the regatta is still remarkable.

With 31 entrants, professional organisation and some great action, the 2008 MST demonstrated why the event truly deserves the international acclaim it is enjoying.

"When we launched this series four years ago, we had predicted that this event would be an exciting new chapter for sailing.

We now want to build on this aspect and we are happy we are headed in the right direction with such a strong field this year," remarked Saeed Hareb, Managing Director of Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC).

As the event grows in popularity of so does it's list of corporate sponsors; 2008 included Emirates Airline, AGMC BMW, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina, The Westin Dubai and Marine Pool.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, Emirates' Executive Vice President, Commercial Operations Worldwide, explained the importance they put on the regatta. "Once again the Maktoum Sailing Trophy has been a great success.

To see some of the world's leading sailors in action, in superb conditions off the coast of Dubai, has been a fabulous spectacle and inspiring to watch.

We hope Emirates' backing for this event will help the winds of fortune blow through the sport locally, and further establish Dubai as a centre for international sporting events."

Launching from the DIMC at Mina Seyahi, the local fleet including Toby O'Connell, Christophe Vanek and Kristian Zanoff pitted themselves against world-class sailors such as three-time America's Cup champion Russell Coutts, Francis Carr, Marcus Wieser, Alexander Mercier, Matt Allen, Andrea Zaffin and Robert Weight.

With everything from Lasers to RC44's competing in different Divisions, the MST 2008 covered all bases.

Opening salvos

On the first day of racing it was Australian boat Ichi Ban, skippered by Matt Allen, and the Marcus Wieser-skippered Westin Mina Seyahi drew first blood in the top two divisions. The Aussies, from the CYCA, were in a class of its own as they finished first in both the races.

In Division 2 the early honours were split between two local boats as Westin Mina Seyahi, skippered by Marcus Wieser - a member of Team Germany at last year's America's Cup in Valencia - and Le Meridien led by local lad Sultan Hareb took one win each.

In Division 3, it was Dubai-based Christophe Vanek of DuBoats showing his class by taking the top spot at the end of the first day in North Star.

The excitement of the racing was not lost on Sid Bensalah, Race Department Director at Mina Seyahi. "I have seen a lot of sailing," he told us excitedly, "but this one definitely can be compared to the World Cup rugby final. The racing was so close between these two boats throughout the two rounds."

Turning the screw

The battle was once again joined on Day Two and again no quarter was given after the crews took stock of the results from the opening exchanges. But after a full day of competition there was little change at the top as Ichi Ban continued to head the leaderboard in Division 1 with two more straight wins in flukey winds.

Toby O'Connell and his crew aboard YO! are not used to seeing their name anywhere except the top of the results sheets, so started charging hard on day two, climbing into second place in the table.