With Emirates Team New Zealand and Artemis first on the water in the best-of-three semi-finals, competition in the Louis Vuitton Trophy in La Maddalena, Italy, stepped up a notch yesterday.
Twelve days of round-robin racing in this America's Cup-class regatta produced major surprises, including the elimination of BMW Oracle, the defender of the America's Cup, and Mascalzone Latino Audi, the challenger of record.
Also unexpected was the emergence of the Synergy Russian Sailing Team, and the new Franco-German team All4One coming top of the leaderboard.
The series, regarded as sailing's equivalent of motor racing's Formula One, will be coming to the UAE in November when Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) hosts the third of four rounds. The UAE beat out some of the world's major yachting destinations, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, the chairman of DIMC and the chief executive of Emirates airline, described it as "a real coup".
Organised by the World Sailing Teams Association, a group of America's Cup-level teams that was formed last year with the support of the French luxury goods company, the regatta follows a similar format to the Louis Vuitton Cup, the challenger selection series that preceded all America's Cups between 1983 and 2007.
The 17-strong crews race in identical Version 5 America's Cup yachts, which guarantees close-quarters racing while eliminating technological advantages that can exaggerate the differences between teams.
"It's all about the skill of the sailors," said Sid Bensalah, the general manager of DIMC, as he flew to La Maddalena. "This is the pinnacle of the sport, on a par with the UAE's other major events, in motorsport, tennis, golf and horse racing."
Before yesterday's first race, Grant Dalton, the managing director of Emirates Team New Zealand, stressed the closeness of the competition.
"Every one of these teams can beat you on any day," he said.
Yesterday, in the first of the best-of-three-race semi-finals, between Artemis and ETNZ, it was one-all before the decisive final race. Terry Hutchinson and his crew on the Swedish boat stole the start from ETNZ just metres from the line. But it was not enough for the Swedish team: despite a bungle at the second mark, the Emirates Team New Zealand stormed away to a comfortable win.
Dean Barker put the semi-final victory down to the team's attitude. "We always back ourselves to win," he said. "The first race was difficult for us ... but we do everything at the highest possible level."
The winner of today's semi-final between All4One and Synergy will meet ETNZ in the final.
* Compiled by Sandra Lane
Artemis v ETNZ
Artemis: Royal Swedish Yacht Club. Skipper Paul Cayard, helmsman Terry Hutchinson, strategist Cameron Appleton.
ETNZ: Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. Skipper and helmsman Dean Barker, tactician Ray Davies, stategist Adam Beashel.
All4One v Synergy
All4One: Cercle de la Voile (France), Kieler Yacht-Club (Germany). Skipper Jochen Schümann, helmsman Sébastien Col.
Synergy: Russia. Skipper and helmsman Karol Jablonski, tactician Rod Dawson.
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Five expert hiking tips
- Always check the weather forecast before setting off
- Make sure you have plenty of water
- Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
- Take your litter home with you
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
ASSASSIN'S%20CREED%20MIRAGE
%3Cp%3E%0DDeveloper%3A%20Ubisoft%20Bordeaux%0D%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Ubisoft%0D%3Cbr%3EConsoles%3A%20PlayStation%204%26amp%3B5%2C%20PC%20and%20Xbox%20Series%20S%26amp%3BX%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
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.
Company%20profile
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Why are you, you?
Why are you, you?
From this question, a new beginning.
From this question, a new destiny.
For you are a world, and a meeting of worlds.
Our dream is to unite that which has been
separated by history.
To return the many to the one.
A great story unites us all,
beyond colour and creed and gender.
The lightning flash of art
And the music of the heart.
We reflect all cultures, all ways.
We are a twenty first century wonder.
Universal ideals, visions of art and truth.
Now is the turning point of cultures and hopes.
Come with questions, leave with visions.
We are the link between the past and the future.
Here, through art, new possibilities are born. And
new answers are given wings.
Why are you, you?
Because we are mirrors of each other.
Because together we create new worlds.
Together we are more powerful than we know.
We connect, we inspire, we multiply illuminations
with the unique light of art.
Ben Okri,
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
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.
The Specs
Engine 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp (542bhp in GTS model)
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000 (Dh549,000 for GTS)
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
EMIRATES'S%20REVISED%20A350%20DEPLOYMENT%20SCHEDULE
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Brief scoreline:
Tottenham 1
Son 78'
Manchester City 0