Interest booming in sailing venture in Abu Dhabi

Gilmour, who runs Pelican Racing, hopes he and his associates can bring their expertise to the UAE to benefit sailors.

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Ian Gilmour has monitored with great interest the creation of the Abu Dhabi International Sailing and Yachting Club, as he braved the winter weather at his base in the Cowes in the UK.
Gilmour, who runs Pelican Racing, hopes he and his associates can bring their expertise to the UAE to benefit sailors. "I have aspirations to have a sailing operation in Abu Dhabi and we are at a fairly advanced stage setting it up at the new club there," he said.
Abu Dhabi is an exciting sailing destination for enthusiasts to travel to. Gilmour and his Cowes colleague Ron Joyce are planning to open up a training operation in the region and bring in the expertise to run it.
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"It is pretty early days - we need a training licence first," he said. "I have been in this process for six months now. In theory we are there - 96 per cent of the paperwork is complete.
Gilmour said the new club is attracting interest overseas. "The general market is buzzing about it. People in the UK are talking about it. And I know people in other countries who are discussing it. Who wouldn't be in favour of something as exciting as this.
"The most important thing for all of us is to have more places to go sailing. Visiting yachtsmen would love it there, especially Europeans who have to race in difficult conditions. The conditions over there are superb, especially when the shamal comes in."