Our Emirati Hero – A Journey of Excellence

Meet Adil Khalid, the 22-year-old UAE Olympian who beat more than 120 Emirati hopefuls to earn his spot on the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing crew, making him the first UAE national to compete in this ‘Everest of Sailing.’

As a nation steeped in rich maritime heritage, the search for the first UAE national to enter the Volvo Ocean Race was always going to be a closely contested affair. And it did not disappoint. Watch all the action and relive the blood, sweat and almost tears.

Adil Khalid is a rising star of the UAE National Sailing Team. The 22-year-old made history in 2008 as the first Emirati sailor to take part in the Olympic Games. In the same year, he also competed in the Laser World Championship in Australia as well as two rounds of the International European Sailing Championship in Italy and Holland.

Having made his mark on the international sailing community, Dubai-born Adil continued to flex his Laser sailing credentials throughout the GCC in 2009, notching up 1st place finishes in the UAE National Sailing Championship and Saudi Sailing Championship, and 2nd places in the Qatar International Sailing Championship and Bahrain Al Bareh International Regatta. He married in the same year.

In 2010, Adil continued to pursue success in GCC events, whilst switching his concentration to the Asian Games, which took place in Guangzhou, China last November.

Despite a late arrival and acclimatisation issues, Adil, who began sailing in 2000, ended in ninth place overall. Having accrued a wealth of experience of competing in two major sporting events, the young Emirati hopeful is now keen to put his skills into practice for the Volvo Ocean Race.