Emirati athletes win 24 medals at FIS Slopestyle and Rail Jam competitions

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Ski Dubai, in partnership with the UAE Winter Sports Federation, hosted three adrenaline-fueled, snow-filled events sanctioned by the International Ski Federation (FIS).

The events were held from October 16-20 which brought together more than 25 athletes from six countries including 13 athletes representing the UAE national team.

The FIS Park and Pipe Development Camp held from October 16-17 was an international-level training camp designed to provide high-quality, specialised training for Freeskiers and Freestyle Snowboarders.

This was followed by the FIS Slopestyle competition held on October 18-19, an international-level event for Freeskiers and Snowboarders who underwent the two-day development camp to compete on a slopestyle course with a variety of obstacles such as rails, jumps and other terrain park features.

Points are scored for amplitude, originality, and quality of technique.

The final event, the FIS Rail Jam Competition held on Friday, is the newest discipline under FIS’ umbrella. It is considered to be among the most grassroots of all Freeski and Freestyle Snowboard competitions, because it can be staged almost anywhere with minimal requirements such as a small space, a rail-type feature, and real snow.

The UAE national team athletes’ chosen by the UAE Winter Sports Federation were Amenah Al Muhairi, 16, Sultan Al Ghandi, 17, and Abdulla Al Rashed, 18, who previously competed in the prestigious FIS Park and Pipe Junior World Championships held in Cardrona Alpine Resort, New Zealand.

At the end of each competition day, awarding ceremonies were held in Ski Dubai to recognise the top three male and female winners of the Freeski and Snowboard disciplines at the FIS Slopestyle Competition and FIS Rail Jam Competition.

During the three-day FIS level competitions at Ski Dubai, the UAE national team achieved a remarkable accomplishment by securing a total of 24 medals.

Mohammad El Etri, Vice President, Global Snow, Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment said, “We are delighted to join forces once again with the International Ski Federation and UAE Winter Sports Federation. Since 2019, our partnership is grounded on our shared commitment to fuel the growth of winter sports culture in the heart of the desert. In just a few years’ time, we are not only hosting international-level snow sport events but also witnessing young Emirati talent exhibiting their incredible progress on the slope.”

Hamel Al Qubaisi, Vice President, UAE Winter Sports Federation, added: “The UAE has always proven its competency across various sectors, and now we demonstrate our strong ability in snow sports. Since 2019, we have set our vision to make history by competing at the Winter Olympic Games 2026. Thus far, we are making remarkable progress in our journey with our strategic partner, Ski Dubai.

“Together, we organise a series of successful activities and events annually to reaffirm our commitment in snow sports, hosting international camps and competitions that invite expertise and athletes from all over the world. This serves as our core strategy to raise Emirati champions who will raise the UAE flag on top of the slopes.”

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, starting with the FIS World Snow Day Alpine Ski Race and Freestyle Competitions in January. Earlier this month, they also organised the Alpine Ski Training Camp for the Russian Para Alpine Ski Team, French Association Ski Race, and Alpine Ski Training Camp for Saudi Arabia’s Junior Ski and Snowboard Teams.

As part of its commitment to establish a global snow sports destination in the heart of the desert, Ski Dubai will also host five more FIS-sanctioned competitions including the UAE FIS Slopestyle, UAE FIS Rail Competitions, UAE FIS Para Alpine Ski Slalom Asia Cup, UAE FIS Alpine Ski Training Camp, and four-day UAE FIS Alpine Ski Slalom Races.