Al Bareh Int. Sailing (Final Day)

EBRAHIM Abdulla yesterday (JUNE 29) was crowned Laser Standard champion as the curtain came down on this year's Al Bareh International Regatta Championship.

Over 80 sailors from around the Middle East region and further afield descended on Bahrain Maritime Sports Association's (BMSA) Al Jazayer beach in Zallaq, for the fourth and final day of the 20th edition championship.

Local talents had claimed victories in two of the five classes staged during this four-day racing challenge.

Bahrain took the Laser Standard and Laser Radial classes gold medals amidst improving winds of 12 to 18 knots after day three races were cancelled due to lack of considerable wins.

In the Laser Standard, Abdulla was again in an outstanding form as he capped off his solid start to top the final standings and foil the challenge of fellow Bahraini Ebrahim Daij with a net score of 10, beating Daij's 12.

Another Bahraini Jassim Showaiter was hoping to ensure himself a place in the top three places, but could only claim fifth position on net 20.0, finishing behind

Pakistan's Muhammed Tanveer (17) and countryman Sajjad Ahmed (20), who came third and fourth, respectively.

In the Laser Radial class, local favourite Dawood Abdulla confirmed he was a cut above the rest as he secured a comfortable victory from nine races with a net score of 14 points.

Qatari Faris Al Bakri (22) moved ahead of Ali Bu Hamad (24) of Kuwait to finish second, with the Kuwaiti dropping to third.

The UAE, Oman and Indonesia bagged the remaining classes' trophies after an action-packed day of neck-and-neck races.

In the Laser 4.7 class, Humoud Al Zaidi provided the only glory for the UAE, as he claimed another victory yesterday to top the competition.

Having placed second in Thursday's opening race in the class, Al Zaidi repeated his heroics in Friday's race with a winning score of net eight points yesterday.

Al Zaidi halted the challenge from Bahraini Ebrahim Showaiter (13), who took second and Said Al Naimi (24), also of the UAE, came in third.

Mohammed Ian of Indonesia made his nation proud as he took over the lead from host country's Ahmed Abdulla to bag the Byte CII class gold medal with six points, just two ahead of the Bahraini favourite. Ahmed Al Naar (26), also of Bahrain, rounded off the podium by coming third.

In the Optimist Class, which is for the up-and-coming sailors, Ahmed Jaber stunned the pack as came from behind and notched a well-deserved gold medal by finishing on top of this category with a net 24.

Kuwaiti Aziz Al Saib (27) followed in second place, while Saud Al Naar (31) of Bahrain completed the contest in third position.

The organising committee, being chaired by Bahrain Maritime Sports Association president Shaikh Khalifa bin Abdulla, hosted the awarding ceremony late on to honour the winners in their respective classes.

The ceremony was also attended by representatives of this year's sponsors – Bapco, Banagas and GPIC, as well as dignitaries, delegations officials and guests.

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