During an exciting event that will take place in Dubai, stunt pilots will be able to fly through the air without the assistance of an airplane. This will be the world's first jet suit race.
The Dubai Sports Council has announced the commencement of the "Dubai Jet Suit Race," which is scheduled to take place on February 28, 2024. This announcement was made under the patronage and orders of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.
In what will be the first sporting competition in the history of the world to feature participants who fly without the assistance of an airplane, contestants will instead rely on suits that are fitted with jet engines in order to navigate a course that has been established.
Dubai announces hosting the World’s First Jet Suit Race
Gravity Industries, a corporation that was a pioneer in the development of jet suits and the sport of jet suit racing, is the organization that is responsible for organizing this event.
The Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has revealed that the new event, which is the first of its kind anywhere in the world, is being organized as a result of the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed.
During the sporting event, which will serve to demonstrate Dubai's eminence as a host of significant worldwide events, eight competitors from different countries, including Ahmed Al Shehhi from the United Arab Emirates, will compete for top honors.
During the race, Sheikh Mansoor made the following statement: "This race marks the beginning of a new era of exciting aerial sporting action worldwide. It is a true reflection of Dubai's soaring spirit of enterprise as well as the human capacity to overcome challenges."
In addition, the event serves to emphasize Dubai's singularity and limitless energy in presenting fresh ideas to the globe. These concepts mix innovation, adventure, and ambition, and they push the frontiers of human imagination. They also pave the path for even bigger achievements and innovations all over the world.
An statement on the beginning of the race was made during a ceremony that took place at Burj Park, which is located next to the Burj Khalifa.
At the occasion, there was a live demonstration that went over the Dubai Fountain, which is located next to Burj Park. The show had three competitors who were dressed in jet suits.
The race will be organized by the Sports Council and Gravity Industries during the city's International Boat Show. This will allow attendees of the exhibition to witness a one-of-a-kind competition that takes place in the air environment.
It was also stated that Ahmed Al Shehhi, a racer from the United Arab Emirates, is now participating in a unique and rigorous training program in the United Kingdom in order to qualify for the very first race of its sort anywhere in the globe.
The competition for jet suit racing will take place in the region between Dubai Harbor and Skydive Dubai. The chosen stretch of water and its depth have been determined to be appropriate for the sport of jet suit racing on this particular terrain.
For the competition, competitors will be required to wear suits that have been specifically built with an emphasis on health and safety considerations, including as protection against drowning and additional buoyancy.
"Under the directives of Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai Sports Council is always striving to bring novel and distinguished sporting events to the city in cooperation with various international organisers, and this race will be a new and unique addition to the list of such showcases not only in Dubai but also globally," said Saeed Hareb, the Secretary-General of the city Sports Council. "This race will be a new and unique addition to the list of such showcases."
At the same time as it will represent the beginning of a new age in the world of aerial sports, it will also add another event to the local sports calendar that will be unforgettable for our wide audience, which is comprised of students from a variety of countries.
"It is with great pleasure that we announce the presence of an Emirati racer among the participants in this historic event. We wish him the best of luck in bringing the United Arab Emirates' name to the forefront of this emerging sport."
He continued by saying, "The extraordinary seafront district, with its one-of-a-kind backdrop and iconic vistas, Dubai Harbour, the waterfront overlooking the Palm Island, and the Dubai Marina district will be the scene of a one-of-a-kind event that is commensurate with Dubai's prestigious stature and approach to advancing innovation."
As the perfect location to debut this incredible event and demonstrate technology that enables people to fly without the use of a plane, Dubai is the perfect location. As well as millions of spectators on television channels and numerous other media platforms, residents will have the opportunity to see the event in real time at Dubai Harbor. These viewers will have the opportunity to witness something that they have never seen before, with the exception of in science fiction films.
"Gravity pilots have flown multiple times over the last six years, and it is a real pleasure to be coming back with the support of the Sports Council to deliver a mind-blowing spectacle of what humans and technology are capable of accomplishing," said Richard Browning, the founder of Gravity Industries and the chief test pilot for the company.
"Our Gravity Race Series promises even more visceral excitement and drama than Formula One has done for decades," said Browning. "It is updated for the 21st century and it will be airborne."
He added, “We will not be satisfied with organising a flying and racing display only; we also seek to increase the intensity of competition and excitement in the event through the flight path that includes challenges for the competitors that require manoeuvrability, accuracy and flight speed to determine the four best competitors who will then vie for the top three places and take the podium.”
