ISAF World Cup final puts another sailing feather in Abu Dhabi’s cap

Organisers announced on Wednesday the capital would host the 2014 International Sailing Federation World Cup final from November 27-30.

Boats, comprising the world's top sailors in 11 categories, will line up for the ISAF Sailing World Cup, which was last held in Miami in January. Lynne Sladky / AP Photo

ABU DHABI // The capital will spend the weeks following the Formula One weekend transforming into the centre of the sailing universe.

Abu Dhabi will host the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) World Cup final from November 27-30 in the waters off the Corniche. It adds another high-profile sailing event to Abu Dhabi’s portfolio, with the Volvo Ocean Race set to arrive in mid-December.

The sailing World Cup will conclude its annual international circuit by bringing the signature final event to Abu Dhabi, the culmination of a series that this year has gone to Melbourne, Miami, Hyeres, France; Weymouth and Portland, UK; and Qingdao, China.

The event will bring together the world’s top sailors in the 10 Olympic classifications and kiteboarding, with 20-strong fields for each discipline drawing from the 10 top points scorers from the previous five World Cup events as well as the top-10 finishers in each race at September’s ISAF world championships in Santander, Spain.

Describing the World Cup final as a premier event highlighting individual sailing prowess, Ben Remocker, the regatta manager in Abu Dhabi and a 2008 Olympian in sailing for Canada, said the event was “designed to test sailor versus sailor, independent of equipment.

“We tried to eliminate other factors. This is when they’re sailing at their best.”

Barrie Harmsworth, a technical adviser to the UAE sailing and rowing federation, said the event is, “like getting a soccer World Cup” for the sailing community here.

“It’s a tremendous boost for sailors in this region.”

After three days of qualifying, the final races, between the top 10 qualifiers in each discipline, will be held November 30. Those disciplines include: RS:X windsurf, men’s and women’s; Laser radial (women); Laser (men); Finn (men); 470, men’s and women’s; 49er FX (women); 49er (men); Nacra 17 (mixed); and kiteboarding (mixed).

A total of 291 sailors from 39 countries, including 15 Olympic medallists, will be on hand for the competition. Races will take place along four courses around Lulu Island and Marina Mall.

The organisers also announced an agreement to have Abu Dhabi host the ISAF final for six years, through 2019.

Follow us on Twitter @SprtNationalUAE