Sail Grand Prix set for Dubai debut

DUBAI: The first Dubai Sail Grand Prix is set to launch from Mina Rashid in the heart of Old Dubai on Nov. 12-13.

The race has been organized in partnership with P&O Marinas, the Dubai Sports Council and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism.

In the seventh stop on the global league’s calendar — which includes venues such as Bermuda, Chicago, Saint-Tropez, Singapore, Sydney and San Francisco — SailGP’s revolutionary F50 foiling catamarans will sail just minutes away from some of Dubai’s most recognized attractions at Mina Rashid.

SailGP CEO Russell Coutts said: “We are excited to introduce the world’s most exciting racing on-water for the first time to a new wave of fans across Dubai and the wider Middle East. This would not have been possible without the support of our dedicated partners, P&O Marinas, Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Tourism, as we work together to bring the world’s top athletes here to harness the power of nature. I am looking forward to seeing the nine teams showcase our spectacular F50s in Dubai.”

Tickets are now available for the race, which will feature identical catamarans, capable of speeds approaching 100 km an hour. National teams representing Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland and the US will battle it out over two days of racing close to shore.

“At Mina Rashid, we look after some of the most exclusive yachts in the world,” Hamza Mustafa, COO of P&O Marinas said.

“It is an honor and a privilege to host the first Sail GP event in Dubai.”