Sailors taking part in the Qatar International Regatta - Sail The Gulf 2013 - practice at Doha Sailing Club, yesterday. Around 220 sailors from 21 countries will be taking part in the championship which begins today. Sailors from Algeria, Bahrain, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Germany, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Myanmar, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Norway, Palestine, Qatar, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Singapore, UAE and UK, are taking part in the five day event which ends on Febraury 23. Competitions will be held in nine categories comprising off optimist, optimist team, laser 4.7, laser radial, laser standard, hobie-16, 29ers, 420 and 470. RIGHT: Sailors get ready for practice. pictures by: Qassim Rahmatullah