News

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 28 July 2025: The Abu Dhabi ILCA 4 team has departed for the Sultanate of Oman to conduct an intensive 10-day training camp in the coastal area of Ras Al Hadd. The camp is part of the team's preparations for the upcoming Oman ILCA Championship and falls within the technical program aimed at developing national talents for future international competitions.

The camp takes place in one of the region’s premier sailing locations, as Ras Al Hadd is known for its ideal climate conditions and steady sea winds, making it an optimal training destination for high-level programs — especially in the ILCA class, which heavily relies on interaction with natural elements.

The team includes eight of the UAE’s most promising young sailors in the ILCA 4 category:

Abdullah Yahya Al Zubaidi ، Abdullah Mohammed Al Neyadi ، Omar Qais Qandil ، Abdullah Fahad Al Muhairi

Saleh Hassan Al Hammadi ، Abdulrahman Abdullah Al Hajri

Abdullah Yousef Al Hammadi ، Saif Tariq Al Marzouqi

The team is coached by Patrick Lotomsky and accompanied by media representative Khaled Al Saadi.

This camp aims to enhance the sailors’ physical and technical readiness, refining their skills in a realistic training environment that mirrors international race conditions. The team is expected to participate in the Oman ILCA Championship, a key milestone in their seasonal agenda.

The ILCA class—particularly ILCA 4—is a recognized Olympic discipline that serves as a foundational stage for young sailors to progress to more advanced classes such as ILCA 6 and ILCA 7. It acts as a critical gateway for entry into European and global competitions due to the high level of technical and tactical proficiency it demands.

The Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Academy, with the support of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and close coordination with the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation, continues to focus on developing national talent and providing them with professional-level competitive experiences in line with the UAE’s vision for international representation in modern sailing sports.

Khalifa Al Suwaidi, President of the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Academy, emphasized that holding the ILCA 4 training camp in Ras Al Hadd aligns with the Academy’s strategic vision to prepare a new generation of internationally competitive sailors. He noted that Ras Al Hadd was specifically chosen for its world-class marine environment that closely simulates global championship conditions.

“We are committed to offering our youth the best possible training environment,” said Al Suwaidi. “This external camp is a valuable opportunity to strengthen their abilities in real-world conditions. ILCA 4 is the gateway to Olympic sailing, and we are dedicated to equipping these young sailors with the skills and mindset needed for upcoming challenges.”

He added: “We greatly appreciate the support from the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation. We look forward to this camp being a powerful launchpad for a season full of accomplishments and a key contributor to the journey of empowering Emirati sailors on the international stage.”