Doha: Five Qatari sailors will be seen in action at the 2014 Formula Kite Course Racing Asian Championship, organised by the Qatar Sailing and Rowing Federation (QSRF), which begins here at the Qanat Quartier beach area of Pearl-Qatar.
Khalifa Al Misnad, Omar Al Hammadi, Bader Al Madani, Khalid Festook and Alaa Festook will lead the hosts challenge at the six-day championship will be contested by 63 sailors from 26 countries.
“Since I started with the QSRF programme two years ago, I never imagined then that I would be competing in an international championship now! It has been a great experience, Kiteboarding is life changing. I love
everything about it, getting
out in the fresh air, being on the ocean, and keeping healthy
are all a bonus of the sport,” said Qatari participant Omar Al Hammadi.
Since the initiative was taken two years ago, the QSRF now have 18 Qataris registered in the kiteboarding programme. Most recently, a training site has been established on the beach of Fuwairit, where all nationals are welcomed to participate in the sport.
Although, this is an Asian Championship, the event is open to the entire world, allowing all to compete under different age categories.
An Asian champion will be crowned, in addition to an open men’s and women’s winners.
World champion Florian Gruber of Germany and Stephanie Bridge of United Kingdom will be some of the top sailors who will be vying for the top honours in the open category.
Bridge is one of the 16 women competitors in the championship.
For the records, kiteboarding is coming to the Gulf region and Doha will host the six-day inaugural Championship under the auspices of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC).
“Kiteboarding is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, and this trend is reflected here on the shorelines of Qatar,” QSRF Adviser for Sport Sarah Lord said.
The event is sanctioned by the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA), who has been working closely with the QSRF to ensure a successful event in Qatar. The Championship will start with practice races starting from 1pm.
For the next five days, the Championship will run from
9am to 4.30pm daily, with
races ongoing, leading to the
grand final being held on November 15.
The premises at the Qanat Quartier beach is being
transformed to accommodate all event participants, with the provision of seating areas. Live commentary of races will be broadcast on the beach.
THE PENINSULA
