Ski Dubai takes centre stage as DXB Snow Week begins today
DUBAI: The Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates will become the centre of focus for sports lovers in the UAE and beyond as it hosts one of the first snow sports competition in the world to be held with social distancing measures.
Being organised by Dubai Sports Council (DSC) in cooperation with Ski Dubai, the twoday ‘DXB Snow Week’ will feature a novel ‘DXB Snow Run’ on Friday, where participants from more than 46 countries will run for 3km through the snow, in temperatures below -4C.
The Run will start early, with the first group geting flagged off at 6.30am and the final group at 8.30am.
On Aug. 15, day two of DXB Snow Week, participants will have the opportunity to take part in ski and snowboard competitions. Billed as the ‘Return to Safe Sport’ competition, the ski and snowboard event is open to all competent racers, freestyle skiers and snowboarders, and competitions will take place in four disciplines - Slalom Skiing, Giant Slalom, Slopestyle and Big Air.
The ski and snowboard competition will be held in two sessions – from 10am to 2pm, and then from 4pm to 8pm – and a panel of freestyle judges will be adjudicating at the event.
Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of DSC, visited Ski Dubai on Thursday along with Mohammad El Etri, Director of Majid Al Futaim Global Snow, and Nasser Aman Al Rahma, Assistant Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, to check on the preparations for the DXB Snow Run.
Ski Dubai is exceeding recommended health and safety guidelines for the event and has implemented an all-encompassing sanitisation and physical distancing plan to ensure that guests can enjoy a comfortable experience with added peace of mind.
No family and friends will be allowed inside Ski Dubai to watch the event, and once participants cross the finish line, they need to leave Ski Dubai and exit immediately from the venue. Of course, they are free to meet their and family at any other designated point inside Mall of the Emirates, if they want.
DSC have also released a number of videos on their social media channels, educating and informing DXB Snow Run participants about the arrangements in place at the Mall of the Emirates for race day and the gear they should be wearing for the Run.
The winter and snow sports sector is the third segment to be opened for competition by Dubai Sports Council following weeks of closure due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The marine sports sector was the first to open for competition in Dubai with Dubai Offshore Sailing Club’s Summer Series taking place on June 19.
The following weekend, Dubai International Marine Club organised a “Dubai Watersports Summer Week” in cooperation with Dubai Sports Council, and six different competitions were part of the event.