DUBAI // A fleet of more than 70 dhows will race on Saturday to promote the emirate’s bid to host Expo 2020.

Run by the Dubai International Marine Club, the sailing race for traditional 43-foot dhows will be the first round of the Dubai Sailing Dhow Championships.

The three-heat championship will begin with the first dhow named Expo 2020, which the organisers felt was the best way to support the candidate city’s bid for the event.

The racing dhows, which will all fly the Expo 2020 flag, will compete for overall top place and the honour to start next season as boat number one.

Ali bin Ghulaitha, officer of the day from the organising committee, said the first four boats had consistently good scores for the past two races so competition will be tight.

“The skippers have been watching the weather closely over the past few days to make sure they get the best advantage,” Mr bin Ghulaitha said. “It is our job to make sure the race is run fairly and safely.

“Our offshore operation involves about 40 people and 12 boats from DIMC. We also have boats from the police and coastguard and a medical team in support.”

With 14 crew on each dhow, plus support boats with two to three crew each, Mr bin Ghulaitha said there would be more than 1,000 people on the water during the race, making safety a priority.

The race will begin at 1.30pm at the World Islands and finish at the Burj Al Arab.

mswan@thenational.ae