40 ACTIVITIES Sports
Cricket
With a huge contingent of Pakistani and Indian resident expatriates, not to mention local English, Australian and South African cricket fans, the cast-iron guarantee of vocif- erous support is seeing Abu Dhabi emerge as a one-day international (ODI) cricket venue. International teams are visiting the emirate for serious competition and charity games, attracted by the five-star facilities and great winter weather.
In November 2009, the UK's Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) signed a three-year deal with Abu Dhabi Cricket Club to become associ- ate partners, which enables the MCC to use the Zayed stadium and academy. The academy was renamed the Zayed MCC Cricket Academy.
Camel racing
For a truly Arabian sporting activity, why not take the team to see the unusual sport of camel racing? An opportunity to experience the electric atmosphere of the unique sport that is part of the heritage of the UAE is not to be missed.
The season starts in October and runs until March, with racing taking place on Fridays and Saturdays. There are two main tracks Ð one at Al Maqam Camel Racetrack, east of Abu Dhabi, and the other at Al Malagit in Al Ain.
abudhabi 2011
Horseracing
Horseracing is also a big draw in Abu Dhabi. The season generally runs from November through to March and includes up to 50 meetings, divided between thoroughbreds and Arabian purebreds.
Highlights include the National Day Cup, which took place in December 2010, and the President's Cup, which offers the princely sum of AED1 million (US$272,000) in prize money. Races take place at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.
Formula One
For the third year running, Abu Dhabi will drop the chequered flag on the F1 season as the emirate plays host to the final Grand Prix race of the year on November 13, 2011. Yas Island is home to the emirate's F1 track Ð the Yas Marina Circuit, which opened with its inaugural race on October 30, 2009. The track itself is 5.6 kilometres long. Divided into a three kilometre permanent circuit for the public and a 2.6 kilometre city layout exclusively for Formula One racing, it combines the benefits of a high-speed track and a street circuit.
Taking just one minute 38 seconds to complete a lap, the course includes 20 cor- ners, and sees drivers achieving top speeds of up to 320 kilometres an hour. It is one of
the longest and most demanding tracks in the world, and includes an iconic grand- stand hairpin for the ultimate in spectator entertainment. Abu Dhabi has been awarded the Grand Prix franchise on a renewable seven-year contract.
Powerboat racing
On the international scene, the UAE has become a major force in a sport to which it is a much more recent convert, involving speed on water rather than on land. The UAE regularly unveils a top-class team to compete in the UIM Formula One World Championship powerboat race which climaxes every November/December. Abu Dhabi plays a prominent role in a four- race Middle East season of UIM F1 power- boat madness, as boats slice through the surf in front of tens of thousands of spectators. The 50-lap Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi starts at the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club by the Breakwater and loops from there to the Corniche and back to provide a real open water spectacle.
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