The second preliminary regatta of the 37th America’s Cup is just around the corner. The teams will meet againthis time in the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on the shores of the Red Sea.

This event will take place from from November 29 to December 2, 2023, bringing together the best sailors on the planet aboard the AC40. The event will be held at Yeda Yacht Club and Marina and the competition will again be in the AC40 class with one design very similar to the AC75 that will be used in the official competition.

The format will include eight fleet races in which teams will compete starting Thursday, November 30th. The top two finishers will go head-to-head in a thrilling regatta to crown the champion, giving them a huge morale boost ahead of 2024 when Barcelona hosts the 37th America’s Cup.

This second event will allow teams to continue testing themselves in preparation for the America’s Cup. Vilanova and la Geltru were very positive about American Magic., who took the win, Emirates Team New Zealand, who finished second, and Orient Express Racing, who were named the surprise of the event. For their part, INEOS Britannia and Alinghi Red Bull Racing will want to make amends after their failure in the capital El Gharraf.

Privileged Environment

Local viewers will be able to enjoy this competition from the famous Jeddah Corniche, an area near the coast that has several services for fans coming to watch the AC40 fly. Giant screens will be used to ensure that no fan misses the spectacle of the fastest boats on the planet. In addition, you can follow the action from the stands, as this is a regatta course that, thanks to its exceptional conditions, facilitates action close to the shore.

There will be various events coordinated by the event organization, all linked to the America’s Cup, in which fans eager to see the world’s best sailors compete in a thrilling duel to win the the first appearance of the America’s Cup in the Red Sea.

Bringing the America’s Cup to Jeddah and Saudi Arabia is an important milestone for the Saudi Sailing Federation and for the Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina, one of the most active clubs in the world. There is a youth program with around 40 young people coming every day to test their sailing skills and to date around 2,000 girls and boys have taken part. In addition, the region offers almost ideal conditions for swimming almost every day, which has led to the program gaining national attention.

Samia Baghdadi, CEO of the Saudi Sailing Federation, spoke about the project and what it will mean in the long term for the country: “We are focusing on youth because that is where talent is trained and nurtured. In terms of boating skills, nothing beats time on the water, so working with kids is key.” He also talked about what it means to have America’s Cup in Saudi Arabia.: “The competition will show what sailing can be, give people something to strive for and accelerate the growth of sailing in our country,” he commented.

Grant Dalton, CEO of AC37 Event, spoke about the event and what it means to move part of the competition to Saudi Arabia: “This is the first international sailing regatta in the Red Sea, and this is the America’s Cup, the pinnacle of this tournament. sport. “We are leading the way into a region that is the future of this discipline, and I am very proud to be a part of it.”

Big bet

Saudi Arabia has been betting heavily on sports for several years now. The goal is to host the country’s top sporting events and allow many of the country’s most outstanding athletes to compete in local tournaments at an investment close to 10% of the territory’s GDP.

Major events such as Formula 1, boxing matches, the FIFA Club World Cup or prestigious golf tournaments have passed or will pass through Saudi Arabia, which hopes to host the 2034 World Cup. Receiving the America’s Cup as a gift is another great step to consolidate yourself as a global sporting power, as it is the oldest active competition in the world, with a history of over 170 years and in which true legends of world sport have competed.