The first America's Cup Race to take place on the Red Sea was proudly hosted by Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina with attendance by His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, the Minister of Sport, dignitaries from throughout the Kingdom, the world's best professional sailors, global sports media and sports fans.
On the first Saturday in December the sun set on an Arabian masterpiece of an event with the conclusion of the America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta ending in spectacular fashion with Emirates Team New Zealand, the Defenders of the America’s Cup, the oldest international sporting trophy in the world, winning the one-on-one Grand Final against the young, talented Italian team of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli.
Jeddah Yacht Club was radiant throughout the event hosting guests from around the world, providing world class hospitality and dedicated support for the professional sailing teams and spectator boats.
Mohideen Nazer, Senior Vice President at Sela, the company behind Jeddah Yacht Club & Marina proudly stated: “What an amazing week we have had. Our thanks go to His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, the Minister of Sport, and Grant Dalton CEO of Americas's Cup Event for bring the America's Cup race to Jeddah Yacht Club & Marina. It was an honour to host this remarkable event and a pleasure to open our wonderful yacht club to so many sports enthusiasts. Through the global media coverage generated by the event we have showcased the best of Saudi Arabia to the world."
Hassan AlKabbani, Chairman of Saudi Sailing Federation, said: "We used the interest created by the event to promote the sport of sailing. Our participation programme took place in partnership with Jeddah Yacht Club Academy and over XXX people participated in the morning races and experience sessions. It was very inspiring, particularly because the professional race teams supported the sessions."
Terry Hutchison, President of Sailing Operations for American Magic said: "It was great to get the kids out on the Red Sea. I joined a couple of the groups and these kids have great potential. The conditions are perfect for learning to sail.
We hosted His Royal Highness the world's best sailors have invested in these amazing facilities at The JYC Academy because we are committed to the growth of water sports throughout Saudi Arabia. We have built a world-class training center in Jeddah that will inspire people new to the sport to come and try it and will provide elite sailors with the best opportunity to develop their competitive skills. We want as many people as possible to enjoy water sports—young and old, newcomers and elite alike—and we have built a center that is inspirational.”
The Jeddah Yacht Club & Marina in conjunction with Saudi Sailing Federation activated a truly world-class regatta, the highlight of the global sailing calendar in 2023 and much credit must go to the visionary implementation and support of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz and to Hassan Al Kabanni, Chairman of the Saudi Sailing Federation.