The event is in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Sailing Federation, who have ambitions for the growth of sailing in the nation.
It is the latest example of Saudi Arabia’s controversial rise as a major player in world sport, labelled by critics as ‘sportswashing’.
Human rights organisations argue Saudi Arabia is using sport to divert attention from its tarnished reputation and human rights violations.
Many other sports have also embraced Saudi Arabia as a venue for major sporting events in the past few years as a way to expand into the Middle East market, including golf, boxing and motorsport.
AC37 Event chief executive Grant Dalton says the preliminary regatta “can be utilised as an event for positive influence on a number of fronts”.
“When standing back and looking at the opportunity for the growth of our sport that exists in the region it is truly significant,” Dalton said in a statement.
“Sixty-seven per cent of the country’s population is under the age of 34 years old, women’s participation in sport or physical activity is up 149 per cent in recent years.
“So we have a unique chance to grow sailing and create new connections with the unprecedented sustainability projects within the Red Sea that can transform lives through sailing and the technologies associated with it.”
According to AC37, global audience of the America’s Cup grew by a factor of three after the 36th event and having a tangible presence in the Middle East with a completely new audience will help to grow the sport and opportunities.
“This is one of the fastest-growing sports markets in the world and has a maritime heritage that is ready to be reignited for all Saudi women and men,” Saudi Sailing Federation CEO Samia Bagdady said in a statement.
“Sailing is in its infancy at the moment, but the potential is huge with nine million people living on the Red Sea coast and fantastic sailing conditions all year round. The America’s Cup and the exciting foiling AC40s racing with the world’s best sailors is the perfect catalyst to inspire our people toward sailing and widen access to the Red Sea, which has always been an important part of Saudi Arabia’s history and heritage and is integral to Saudi’s sustainable future.
“We want to bring the joy and excitement of sailing to Saudi’s young and old, and one day see an Olympic, Ocean Race or America’s Cup champion representing our country.”
World Sailing, to which the Saudi Sailing Federation is affiliated as a World Sailing Member National Authority, says it supports the “development” of the sport in Saudi Arabia.
“World Sailing’s objective is to grow our great sport globally, and certainly Saudi Arabia is a region that is ready and willing to embrace sailing and the marine sector, and develop the sport through their sailing federation,” World Sailing CEO David Graham said in a statement.
“They have a number of sailing events on the horizon, the pinnacle of which will be the staging of the 37th America’s Cup second preliminary regatta from 30th November, which we support and look forward to the exciting prospect of the AC40s being raced in Jeddah.”
