DUBAI // The stirring sight of a BMW Oracle Racing yacht ruling the waves off the shores of the UAE yesterday will pour more salt on the wounds of those who had planned to host the US-based team for the America's Cup in February.
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism officials are still smarting from the decision in a New York court to rule the emirate an invalid venue for the most prestigious competition in sailing, mainly on the grounds that the event cannot take place in the northern hemisphere in winter.
Holders Alinghi have appealed the court's decision and are waiting for that decision.
It was as near as we get to winter in Dubai yesterday as Oracle set off under cloudy skies to prove itself as the dominant boat on the last day of the Sea Dubai RC44 Gold Cup regatta.
Missing regular skipper Russell Coutts, the New Zealand master sailor who has three America's Cup wins to his credit, Oracle was steered by his fellow Kiwi Neville Crichton and guided by Noel Drennan to victory in the first two of yesterday's three concluding fleet races.
After leading home No Way Back and Sea Dubai in the opening race and then getting the better of Team Ceeref in the second, expectations were high of an Oracle clean sweep to end the five-day regatta.
However, hat-trick hopes were wrecked by a split-second timing error at the start of the last race which forced the crew to turn around and start again.
"That was a pity because we didn't think we had overshot the starting line," said Crichton. "But we didn't let it bother us. We have still had a splendid day."
Drennan, one of three potential America's Cup crew members in the team representing Oracle, admitted to feeling frustrated that the showdown with the holders Alinghi has been continually delayed.
"We are still preparing to race. There is nothing else we can do," he said.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
'The Sky is Everywhere'
Director:Josephine Decker
Stars:Grace Kaufman, Pico Alexander, Jacques Colimon
Rating:2/5
CONCRETE COWBOY
Directed by: Ricky Staub
Starring: Idris Elba, Caleb McLaughlin, Jharrel Jerome
3.5/5 stars
In Praise of Zayed
A thousand grains of Sand whirl in the sky
To mark the journey of one passer-by
If then a Cavalcade disturbs the scene,
Shall such grains sing before they start to fly?
What man of Honour, and to Honour bred
Will fear to go wherever Truth has led?
For though a Thousand urge him to retreat
He'll laugh, until such counsellors have fled.
Stands always One, defiant and alone
Against the Many, when all Hope has flown.
Then comes the Test; and only then the time
Of reckoning what each can call his own.
History will not forget: that one small Seed
Sufficed to tip the Scales in time of need.
More than a debt, the Emirates owe to Zayed
Their very Souls, from outside influence freed.
No praise from Roderic can increase his Fame.
Steadfastness was the Essence of his name.
The changing years grow Gardens in the Sand
And build new Roads to Sand which stays the same.
But Hearts are not rebuilt, nor Seed resown.
What was, remains, essentially Alone.
Until the Golden Messenger, all-wise,
Calls out: "Come now, my Friend!" - and All is known
- Roderic Fenwick Owen
Company%20profile
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TWISTERS
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos
Rating: 2.5/5
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley