Emirates Airline pilot David Rostant hopes to overcome last minute crew problems to stay on the victory trail over the weekend in the Jumeirah Regatta, one of the major highlights of the UAE sailing calendar.
Rostant, skipper of the Mumm 30 racing yacht Mattafix, is confident that he can make a serious challenge for the cruiser title as long as he has enough experienced hands on deck for the two-day event.
Since giving up his share in another boat last year and acquiring Mattafix from its former owner in England, Rostant has experienced ongoing problems in sourcing crew members, although that has not prevented him from winning.
Three race victories in the first five of nine rounds have seen him grab a strong lead in the Commodore’s Cup at Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, and Rostant is hoping for more of the same in the Jumeirah Regatta, which gets under way off the Jumeirah Beach Hotel Events Arena in Dubai on Friday morning.
“My problem is that, after buying the boat, I had to find an all-new crew, and it’s been difficult,” said Rostant, a native of Trinidad and Tobago. “I’ve lost several people to new boats, and I suppose it will be a last minute scramble again to get my crew together.
“But we’re taking it very seriously and I still think my chances are pretty good. I’m like everyone else in that I love winning, and we’ll be having a real go for it at the weekend.”
Rostant’s rivals include 2006 Maktoum Sailing Trophy winner Kristian Tzanov, although he believes the biggest threats could come from Toby O’Connell, skipper of the 50-foot yacht Yo! and winner of last month’s Phuket King's Cup Regatta in Thailand, and experienced UAE-based French skipper, Christophe Vanek.
Jumeirah Regatta 2
Among those also battling for honours in the Jumeirah Regatta’s cruiser class will be Rob Weight’s Tissaheel 2, Jereon Leenan at the helm of Loon, Kia and Karen Buerger’s Mad Max, Glywn Rowlands with Twister, Alan Skennerton’s Shockwave, Peter Hook aboard Mistress, and Jo Gillespie’s Spirit of Juniper.
Sponsored by Jumeirah, the dynamic and fast growing Dubai based luxury hospitality group, the Jumeirah Regatta also counts as the third of five rounds in the 2006-07 UAE National Sailing Championships, and much of the best young sailing talent from the Emirates will be in action at the weekend.
“We have all the ingredients of a highly competitive and exciting weekend of racing,” said Gerald Lawless, Chief Executive Officer for Jumeirah Group.
While some of the youngsters on view will be gaining their first serious competitive experience beyond their local club activities, the junior line-up will also include most of the members of the UAE national team, created by the youth sailing programme launched seven years ago by Dubai International Marine Club.
Now in their sixth year, the UAE Championships draw entrants from Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, Jebel Ali Sailing Club, Dubai International Marine Club, Emirates Heritage Club Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi International Marine Club and Abu Dhabi Sailing Club.
Dubai Offshore Sailing Club members currently top four of the seven categories, with Oliver Grogono heading the Optimist overall standings, Alastair Tate leading the laser standard category, Alexander Slatter the optimist cadets and Marcel Herrera the toppers.
Justin Walsh leads the laser radials while another Jebel Ali Sailing Club member Guy Wolfenden heads the double handers and Abdul Aziz of Emirates Heritage Club Abu Dhabi tops the laser 4.7s.
