EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour confirmed on Friday that Team Abu Dhabi would participate as a special guest in the second in-port race in the UAE capital today.

The news follows Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club’s continued support for the event.

The local club hopes the opportunity to pit themselves against the best will offer an invaluable experience to its talented young sailors.

Local professional sailor Miguel Contreras is heading the team as skipper, joined by a young crew of regional sailors including Ahmed Ismael Al Marzouqi who represented Abu Dhabi in The Tour last year.

Director of events at Oman Sail Issa Al Ismaili said: “This type of support and commitment from the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club to the future of sailing is exactly why EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour exists.”

At 20 years old, Al Marzouqi is the youngest crew at the event. The experience he brings with him from his past participation in The Tour will be a great asset.

He is also from a strong Dhow racing background and has been through an intense training regime in the last month to prepare for this event.

Al Marzouqi said: “We now have two Farr 30s at the club so we have put a crew together and have been training for a month now.

"Our skipper has been helping us develop our skills and I really feel the crew has improved, so tomorrow we are looking forward to seeing the rewards of all our hard work. If we get a podium position we would be so proud for our country.”