RACING action in the 20th edition of Al Bareh International Regatta is all set to begin today (JUNE 26) at the Bahrain Maritime Sports Association premises off the coast of Al Jazayer Beach.
Starting at 9am, today's programme features three races in each of the five different classes – Laser Standard, the Laser Radial, Laser 4.7, Byte CII and the Optimist, which is open for young sailors.
A total of 15 teams from the Middle East and Europe are taking part in this year's prestigious annual event, being organised by the association for the 20th successive time on its shore.
Participants have come from Kazakhstan, Pakistan, India, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Oman, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, hosts Bahrain for the first time this year Indonesia and Monaco.
Bahrain is introducing 19 of its best sailors, including six in the Laser Standard, four each in the Laser Radial and Laser 4.7, three in the Optimist and two in the Byte CII.
The Al Bareh regatta is one of the most celebrated sailing competitions in the Gulf with the best sailors from across the region and other countries battling it out in Bahrain's waters every year.
The organising committee, headed by Shaikh Khalifa bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, hosted the opening ceremony yesterday at its premises.
Shaikh Khalifa, the BMSA president, welcomed all the delegations in Bahrain and noted that three races will be held daily for the next four days for a total of 12 races in each class.
"The Al Bareh regatta is one of the most celebrated sailing competitions in the Gulf with the best sailors from across the region and other countries battling it out in Bahrain's waters every year," said Shaikh Khalifa.
The championship is scheduled to conclude on Friday afternoon with the final day of races and the awarding ceremony, during which the top three sailors in each class will be honoured.
Earlier yesterday, the technical meeting of the championship was held at the association premises and was attended by representatives of all the teams, who were briefed by technical director Kasem Ben Jemia on the rules and regulations of the competition.
Participants then had a chance to try out the boats on the BMSA shore in practice races to round off their preparations for the event.
Teams taking part include young entrants from Kuwait and Oman.
The Kuwaiti team includee Ali Jassim, Ali Salem, Abdulaziz Al Aseeb, Ali Al Faylakawi, Abdulla Al Qassab and Hassan Al Balooshi, all competing in the Optimist class and aged between six and nine years old.
Oman sent eight sailors, five of whom are set to sail in the Optimist, two in the Laser 4.7 and one in the Laser Radial.
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