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ADVENTURER Sami Kooheji is in training to create a new world sailing record which will see him as the first person to sail from Bahrain to Dubai non-stop in a dinghy.
The challenge, to be launched on May 15 will be an incredible endurance test for the Olympic competitor and could take a strength-sapping 75 hours.
The trip will cover Bahraini, Qatari and UAE territories which range from smooth to extremely rough waters with strong currents and busy shipping lines.
A support boat will carry a dozen people including his coach, his brother and friends who have supported him throughout his high-sea adventures.
Sami, 23, from Saar, a second officer with Air Arabia, said: “I will be sailing the boat but I am very thankful to my team support.
“We need to be completely prepared. We are also closely working with coastal officials and making safety a definite priority.
“Since it is during the summer, special precautions have to be taken to prevent fatigue and dehydration. Sleeping for long intervals would be impossible and so in its place are 15-minute power naps, every two to three hours, which should keep me going.”
Sami already holds the world record assessed by the World Speed Sailing Record Council for the longest endurance sail completed in a laser standard boat which he achieved in 2004.
He added: “I circumnavigated the country of Bahrain non-stop in 27 Hours, one minute and 22 seconds. The event which I am holding in May will be tripling the distance to approximately 550 kms.”
In recent weeks Sami has been carrying out a special fitness training regime in Dubai and making sailing preparations in Bahrain.
He and his team are confident of bringing home the new record which will also raise funds for two charities, the Bahrain Palm Association and another in Dubai.
EXCLUSIVE REPORT
Shilpa Chandran
