The "Dubai Jet Suit Championship," the first of its kind in the world for flying without an aircraft using jet-powered suits, kicks off tomorrow, Wednesday. This event is organized by the Dubai Sports Council and Gravity, in collaboration with Skydive Dubai and XDubai. The competition will take place at the waterfront of Skydive Dubai, extending over a distance of 700 meters to Dubai Harbour. This location was chosen due to the compatibility of its water depth and nature with this unique race.
Eight competitors from various countries are participating in the race, including Emirati contestant Ahmad Al Shihhi, who underwent intensive training in the UK to prepare for this unprecedented event. Participants will compete by flying through a designated course set by the organizing committee, which includes 12 diverse challenge points that require high maneuverability, precision, and speed. The course will test their ability to evade obstacles while controlling the jet suit, ultimately determining the top four competitors to compete for the top three spots.
The contestants will wear the innovative jet suits developed since 2017, specifically designed for such racing events, taking into account health and safety aspects, including drowning protection and the provision of buoyancy on water surfaces. Pilots have previously showcased their skills in Dubai, participating in over 260 demonstration flights across more than 45 different countries throughout the past years.
