History was made on Friday as 70 sailors, including a 12-year-old, began the inaugural Sir Bani Yas Offshore Race.

At Sir Bani Yas Island (in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region), 11 teams consisting of UAE-based amateurs took to the waters at mid-day for the two-day race.

The winners will receive VIP invitations to the Volvo Ocean Race stopover in Abu Dhabi in December.

Taking on the challenges of the open waters, the teams will sail non-stop from the island to the finish point at Dubai Offshore Sailing Club. 

The race is being organised by the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC).

“The event is to embrace the opportunity to get away from sailing in Dubai and take on the waters at Sir Bani Yas Island. Because of the number of challenges at sea, it will be a big test for the sailors,” says race manager James Harris.

“It is something we want to build into a bigger competition in the future.”

Among the participants are siblings Jamie (12) and Laura Moelker (14), who are competing in with Triple Dutch team with their father William.

“It’s great to be competing here. It’s the first time I am racing and hopefully we can do well,” says Jamie, who has been sailing for five years.

His sister Laura shared similar views. “It feels really good to be here. I enjoy sailing because it’s really good and hopefully we can win."