March 6, 2004

Duboats Racing, the signature Beneteau First 36.7 yacht owned by H.E. Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Bin Saqr Al Nehayan, is competing in the 12th Dubai-Muscat Boat Race that takes place from March 4 to 8, 2004. The race, which started on March 4 at Mina Siyahi, Dubai and will end on March 8 at Marina Bander Al Rowdha, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, is an annual event testing the capabilities and skills of both a wide variety of international boat manufacturers and sailing enthusiasts.

“The debut race is an important one for any team, but especially so for Duboats Racing, as all eyes will be on our performance. Duboats Racing will be competing for the Dubai – Muscat Race Perpetual Trophy, which is given to the overall handicap winner,” said H.E. Sheikh Khaled. “This race will demonstrate the quality of the Beneteau crafts which we introduced to the market through Duboats in January 2003. We are confident that Duboats Racing will have an extremely good race.”

“On the other hand this race also provides Duboats with the opportunity to showcase the potential of sailing as a sport in the Arabian Gulf,” added Sheikh Khaled. “It is a high voltage sport that requires skill, good fitness levels and provides a thrill beyond compare to the competitors. With the ideal sailing conditions provided by the extensive coastlines of the Gulf countries, as well as the traditional sailing skills of the region’s sailors, it is no surprise that the region’s sailors have made a name for themselves in international competitions. High visibility events such as the Dubai-Muscat race provide the fillip for this sport and attract new talent into the arena. Duboats Racing’s participation in the event will highlight our young company’s vision of being the premium sailing authority in the region.”

The Duboats Racing team represent Duboats, the leisure boat company established in January 2003 by the Bin Zayed Group. For the 12th Dubai-Muscat race, Duboats Racing will be skippered by H.E. Sheikh Khaled himself, with Christophe Vanek, America’s Cup French Yachtsman, serving as the Coast Keeper and Navigator. Neville Wittey, an Olympics and America’s Cup Yachtsman, will be the tactician, onboard the yacht. Mr. Philippe Saad, Mr. Makram Daouk and Mr. Keith Carter will be the other members of the crew. This will be the debut race for Sheikh Khaled’s racing team, which was formed earlier this year in January 2004.

The Dubai – Muscat Race 2004 is organised under the auspices of the Sultanate of Oman Ministry of Commerce and Industry Directorate General of Tourism, through Marina Bander Al Rowdha and the United Arab Emirates Marine Sports Federation through Dubai International Marine Sports Club.

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© Press Release 2004