“With over 300 two-person crews from around the globe, Dubai has easily attracted the largest field ever assembled for this type of sailing championship", said Shebib Ahmed Shebib, Head of DIMC Modern Sailing Department ." Over the past two decades, no other coun- try has achieved this level of interest from such a wide- range of countries. Dubai is now firmly established as one,of the world's leading watersports venues".

Dubai International Marine Club ( DIMC ) will stage the biggest, most international sporting event ever seen in the UAE when it hosts the 1996 Hobie Cat 16 World Sailing Championships. Sponsored by the Dubai Ports Authority, the 11th Hobie Cat world series will see over 600 sailors from 55 different countries compete on the warm waters of the Gulf for the Women's and Open Championships. It is the biggest international line-up since the event was first staged in Hawaii 20 years ago.

It is a breathtaking list of international sailors. By comparison, in 1976, 84 crews from 16 different countries battled it out for the over titles, while last year in Mexico the championship featured 125 teams from 20 nations. This Year's figures far outstrip the pervious championships in Hawaii, Texas, the Virgin Islands, Tahiti, Florida, Fiji, Holland, South Africa the French West Indies and Mexico -prior to Dubai the pervious best was in 1993 when 380 sailors from 29 countries contested the finals in the French West Indies.

Over the years, the sailing action has been dominated by Australia, South Africa and the USA. The Australians have taken the Open title five times -including the 1995 World Championship.

The sailors will face strong competition as all of them will be in exactly the same type of boat.