At 28, Al Mehairbi became the first Emirati woman to compete officially in the SSL 47 yacht class, marking a historic debut for the UAE national sailing team

Abu Dhabi Draws the Curtain on Round 1 of the UAE Formula 4 Powerboat Championship

Abu Dhabi: When Jazi Al Mehairbi first took to the water six years ago, it was driven by curiosity and a quiet fascination with the sea. Last month, that passion carried her into the record books.At 28, Al Mehairbi became the first Emirati woman to compete officially in the SSL 47 yacht class, marking a historic debut for the UAE national sailing team in the category during the Southeast Asia Games held in Thailand, according to Emarat Al Youm.

Map of offshore yacht racing

The appearance also placed the Emirates on a new competitive map in offshore yacht racing, a discipline long dominated by seasoned international crews.

 The 47-foot yacht class,

Sailing alongside eight male teammates, Al Mehairbi represented the UAE in the 47-foot yacht class, a demanding format that requires not only physical endurance but precise coordination and decision-making under pressure. The competition is part of the qualification pathway towards the 2026 Sailing World Championship in Brazil.

A challenge worth taking.

“I never hesitated,” Al Mehairbi said in an interview. “When the opportunity came to be part of this team and represent the UAE in a new class, I knew it was a challenge worth taking.”

The beginning of her journey

Her journey began at the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club ADMS where she trained and competed in the ILCA 6 class, gaining international experience and collecting national team achievements. But the pull of the open ocean, and the complexity of offshore racing, soon led her towards a different horizon.

That shift came last year, when world champion Adel Khaled invited her to help form a new SSL 47 team. For Al Mehairbi, the decision meant stepping into unfamiliar territory, both technically and culturally, as the only Emirati woman in a high-intensity, male-dominated offshore crew.

UAE competed in the second group

Preparation was rigorous. The team undertook a 10-day training camp in Switzerland last August, testing the yacht and gaining exposure through competition with experienced teams, including the Seychelles national side In Thailand, the UAE competed in the second group and finished runners-up behind Oman, a result Al Mehairbi describes as both encouraging and motivating.

Ocean sailing,

Ocean sailing, she notes, comes with its own set of challenges. Races stretch across multiple days, demanding sustained concentration, seamless teamwork and constant adjustments to wind and sea conditions.

 The UAE’s institutional backing of women in sport

Al Mehairbi credits much of her resilience to the support system around her. She points to the UAE’s institutional backing of women in sport, as well as the encouragement she receives from her workplace at Khalifa Port Free Zone, where flexible arrangements allow her to balance training and professional responsibilities.

 Championship conclusion F4 Powerboat in the capital.

On the other hand the first round of the UAE F4 Powerboat Championship concluded  the capital, featuring professional performances and continuous excitement until the very last moments. The top positions were awarded to Ismat Ma’ni (Black Pharaoh Team, Sudan) in first place, Salem Al Yafei (American University Team) in second place, and Ezz Eldin Saleh (Black Pharaoh Team, Sudan) in third place. 

The winners’ ceremony 

The winners’ ceremony was attended by Saif Saif Al Suwaidi, Thani Al Qamzi – CEO of Team Abu Dhabi & Modern Events, and Nasser Al Dhaheri – Race Director. In a separate statement, Thani Al Qamzi said, “We are proud of the outstanding performances and are committed to supporting national talents, while also welcoming international teams and female participants, such as Saudi racer Samar Sassi and Emirati racer Alya Abdulsalam Fayrouz. This championship demonstrates our dedication to organizing world-class marine sporting events.” Organizers emphasized that the round successfully delivered thrilling competition in a highly energetic atmosphere with an enthusiastic audience.

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Source Gulf News + Press - Release 

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