Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge underway

by Kraig Becker on

The fourth annual Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge is underway in the United Arab Emirtates. The six-day long, stage based, adventure race pits coed teams of four against one another as they compete on foot, mountain bike, and kayak across a course designed to test their endurance, smarts, and navigational skills.

The race actually got underway on Friday with 50 teams setting out on the first of four stages that are spread out over the course of the six day event. The first two stages were just a warm-up for today however, as the teams are currently taking on a desert stage that combines a 58 mile mountain bike leg and a 75 mile trek that requires them to navigate their way through a sea of endless sand dunes in the dead of night. Tuesday marks the start of the final stage, which will involve more than 80 miles of sea kayaking.

As of this writing, the three-time defending champions, New Zealand’s Thule Adventure Team, is in the lead once again, but with three more days of racing to go, the championship is still up for grabs. The winners of the race receive $40,000 in prize money and bragging rights for another year.

Over the past four years, the ADAC has been the final race of the season for adventure racing teams across the globe. This year is no exception with the event rounding out a busy year for the sport, which has suffered a bit with economic conditions over the past few years. 2011 is shaping up to be an excellent year for adventure racing however, and these amazing endurance athletes will have plenty of opportunities to compete in some of the most remote and spectacular settings on the planet.

[Photo credit: Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority]

Abu Dhabi police find snakes on a plane … and squirrels and parrots

by Tom Johansmeyer on

You know that the United Arab Emirates is not to be outdone, right? So, when an 89-year-old lady’s dog gets loose on an American flight, the Middle East has to find a way to trump it. And, you know it was better than a dog and a cat or an angry monkey.

On a flight from Indonesia to the United Arab Emirates, a passenger was reported to have “four snakes, two parrots and a squirrel inside a box” … not to mention other animals! I seriously want to know how the hell this stuff made it onto the plane!

Though the police in Abu Dhabi didn’t reveal the snake species, a newspaper in Dubai hit up a few experts and said they were “reticulated and blood pythons, both non-venomous,” according to the Associated Press.

[photo by goingslo via Flickr]

Ferrari already looking at more theme parks

by Leigh Caldwell on

Ferrari World just threw open its doors in Abu Dhabi this weekend, but already, Ferrari is thinking about expanding its theme park franchise.

Michelle Pignatti Moreno, head of new business for Ferrari, tells Bloomberg that Ferrari World’s opening is “a dream come true for us as Ferrari. This is our first one, we may have plans for more.”

Company officials look are looking at Ferrari World as a branding exercise – a way to get people who may not be able to buy Ferrari’s closer to the Ferrari brand.

Ferrari World opened on Friday on Yas Island, after a one-week delay due to a Sheikh’s death. The theme park has not released weekend attendance figures, but the park is expected to attract up to 10,000 people per day.

There are 20 attractions in all at Ferrari World, as well as a large collection of Ferrari race cars and an Italian trattoria. The biggest draw is the Formula Rossa roller coaster, now the world’s fastest with a top speed of 149 miles per hour.

Ferrari World theme park’s opening postponed following Sheikh’s death

by Leigh Caldwell on


The Ferrari World theme park in Abu Dhabi will not open today as planned.

ArabianBusiness.com is reporting that the theme park’s opening has been postponed following the death of Sheikh Saqr Al Qasimi, the ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.

The park was expecting more than 10,000 visitors on its opening day today.

Seven days of official mourning has been declared in the United Arab Emirates. Ferrari World officials said that as a show of respect, the park’s opening will be postponed until Nov. 4.

Ferrari World is being billed as the world’s largest indoor theme park. The attraction on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island has more than 925,000 square feet under a roof shaped like the double-curve side profile of a Ferrari GT.

It will feature the world’s fastest ride – the Formula Rossa roller coaster, which is expected to reach top speeds of more than 150 miles per hour.

Ferrari World to open Oct. 27 in Abu Dhabi

by Leigh Caldwell on

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is on track to open one day earlier than expected.

The world’s largest indoor theme park will open in less than four weeks, on Oct. 27.

The theme park on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island has more than 925,000 square feet under a roof shaped like the double-curve side profile of a Ferrari GT.

The most anticipated ride at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is the Formula Rossa, a roller coaster designed to ride like a Ferrari F1, pulling 1.7 Gs with a top speed of nearly 150 miles per hour – the world’s fastest ride.

There are also some kid’s rides, a dueling roller coaster and a 4-D experience on tap for the park, as well as Italian shopping and dining.

Admission starts at $61 for adults. You can upgrade your tickets to include a skip-the-line pass and VIP lounge access for about $50 more. Ferrari World will be open six days a week, closed Mondays.