C1 Championship Relaunches in Dubai, Adds Men's Races to Women's Series

Post by : Mina Rahman

Al Marmoom Camel Race Track in Dubai will host the fifth edition of the C1 Championship — the pioneering all-female camel racing series — when the competition resumes on 8 November.

Established in 2021 by the Arabian Desert Camel Riding Center (ADCRC), the C1 Championship has expanded from an experimental initiative into an internationally recognised event, reshaping a historic regional sport into a vehicle for inclusion and cultural engagement.

Camel racing remains a central element of Emirati tradition, long associated with endurance and prestige. While the discipline has been dominated by men historically, recent years have seen a shift toward modernisation and broader participation. The C1 Championship has played a central role in that shift, demonstrating how heritage and contemporary values can coexist.

Format Expansion and Global Entries

This edition is the most comprehensive to date: for the first time men's races will appear on the race card alongside the established women's events. A new women's 2,000-metre contest has been added, increasing the physical demands on competitors and establishing new competitive standards.

Competitors this season represent 12 nationalities, including the UAE, Jordan, France, Switzerland and the United States. Over four years the championship has drawn thousands of spectators and generated in excess of 50 million media impressions worldwide, underlining the sport's growing international reach.

The profile of camel racing on the world stage is rising, with recent inclusion in the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain (October) and the Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia (November). The C1 Championship is supporting that momentum by developing talent, boosting visibility and promoting women's roles at all levels.

Leadership and Vision: Linda Krockenberger

Linda Krockenberger, who founded both the C1 Championship and the ADCRC, has driven the series' transformation. She says the initiative was created to broaden access and foster a stronger community by enabling fair competition for all.

Krockenberger stresses the programme's purpose is to strengthen, not supplant, long-standing traditions. She argues that widening participation helps preserve and enrich Emirati cultural practices.

What began with a small band of female riders has evolved into an international cohort. Krockenberger notes that athletes from around the world now train and compete together, and that the sport has become a source of empowerment and community for many.

Her work has been supported by mentor and business partner Obaid bin Subaih Al Falasi and by encouragement from UAE authorities, whose backing has been important in normalising this expanded approach to the sport.

Plans for Legacy and Growth

Looking forward, Krockenberger is prioritising governance reforms, athlete pathways and international partnerships. The Arabian Desert Sprint will broaden the race programme and introduce youth categories, including events for boys, to encourage intergenerational participation.

The ADCRC intends to provide intensive daily training for aspiring jockeys, with particular emphasis on preparing international riders for elite competition. Discussions with the World Camelid Sports Federation aim to integrate camel racing into a wider array of international sports platforms.

As the C1 Championship advances into its next phase, organisers intend to sustain a balance of tradition and innovation, reinforcing the sport's global presence while promoting inclusion and competitive development.