18 countries participated in UAE Para Alpine Ski Slalom, FIA Alpine Ski Slalom events in Dubai

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

UAE Winter Sports Federation, in partnership with Ski Dubai and Dubai Sports Council, hosted the UAE Para Alpine Ski Slalom and UAE FIS Alpine Ski Slalom races for the third consecutive year.

The four-day FIS events brought together more than 48 participants from 18 countries, including five Emirati athletes who are part of the UAE national team.

The UAE Para Alpine Ski Slalom Races and UAE FIS Alpine Ski Slalom races are international events for athletes to showcase their remarkable skills in the Alpine Ski Slalom discipline.

The UAE FIS Alpine Ski Slalom races were sanctioned by the International Ski Federation (FIS), the governing body for international skiing competitions. Exclusively for national team athletes, the technically demanding competitions require participants to navigate a racecourse with closely spaced gates or poles using rapid precise turns.

At the end of each competition day, awarding ceremonies were held in Ski Dubai to recognise the top three female and male winners of the UAE Para Alpine Ski Slalom and UAE FIS Alpine Ski Slalom competitions.

Mohammad El Etri, Vice President, Global Snow, Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment said, “The first time we hosted the UAE FIS Alpine Ski Slalom Competitions in 2021, we only had a handful of Emirati participants. This year, we have six incredibly talented snow sport athletes representing our proud nation.

“On behalf of Ski Dubai, we are proud to join forces with our long-standing partners at the UAE Winter Sports Federation and Dubai Sports Council to welcome athletes around the world and establish a global snow sports destination in the heart of the desert. Events such as these provide an important platform for emerging talent to develop their skills and are aligned with Ski Dubai’s commitment to nurture young snow sports athletes.

Hamel Al Qubaisi, Vice President, UAE Winter Sports Federation, added: “Our National athletes are the pride of our country, and they continue to demonstrate their competency in snow sports. Among the 47 competitors, our athletes rank in the top 10. We will continue to focus our energy on sustainable development and inclusiveness with para athletics by sharing our knowledge and expertise with other nations. Since 2021, we have successfully integrated snow sports along with other sports in the UAE. We are proud of all the achievements that have been accomplished and look forward to achieving even more.”

Following the UAE’s ratification as a Full Member of the International Ski Federation at the International Ski Congress in 2022, Ski Dubai has partnered with FIS, UAE Winter Sports Federation, Dubai Sports Council and UAE Paralympic Committee to host a total of 12 international-level snow sport events this year. This is recognition for the UAE on the global stage of skiing camps and international championships.