Abu Dhabi is to host the inaugural Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix from 13-14 January 2024.
The Abu Dhabi stage of the SailGP’s global race series will see 10 teams compete around Mina Zayed in high-speed catamarans.
The event is presented in partnership with SailGP’s global series partner Mubadala Investment Group and Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
Season four of the race series is already underway, which, as well as Abu Dhabi, includes stages in New York, Los Angeles, Sydney, Saint-Tropez and San Francisco.
Tickets are now on sale for the Abu Dhabi race, with thousands of spectators expected to gather to watch the high-speed action.
The event features hydrofoiling F50 catamarans, capable of reaching speeds of nearly 100 kilometres per hour. National teams from Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, and the US will engage in the two-day competition.
His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “We are proud to announce the addition of a new international championship to our extensive calendar of global events organised and hosted by Abu Dhabi.”
“Hosting such race series reflects the leading position of Abu Dhabi as a global hub for sporting events, and reaffirms the preparedness of Abu Dhabi and its diversified facilities. We, at Abu Dhabi Sports Council, are excited to host the SailGP’s global race series, an increasingly popular sporting event. We would like to commend our long-term strategic partnership with Mubadala, resulting in hosting and organising major sporting events and championships.”
Homaid Al Shimmari, Deputy Group CEO and Chief Corporate and Human Capital Officer at Mubadala, said: “We’re delighted to help bring the league’s first-ever race to the capital, raising awareness of our strong maritime heritage, encouraging STEM education through sport among the youth and showcasing our role as a responsible investor as we make waves together. Driving positive change has been our core mandate since our inception and our partnership with SailGP, a like-minded trailblazing organisation, reinforces this commitment.”
Mubadala Investment Company, as the event title partner and global series partner of the Inspire programme, will be supporting SailGP’s efforts to champion STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education and sport.
Across its three pathways – careers, learning, and racing – the Inspire initiative has engaged more than 15,000 young people worldwide, beating its target of reaching 10,000 young people by 2025. With Mubadala’s support, the SailGP Inspire programme now aims to engage 25,000 young people by the end of 2025.
Russell Coutts, CEO of SailGP, said: “This is another great moment for our global championship as we continue our rapid expansion and I am delighted that we are adding another new capital city to our event roster for season four. Of course, this wouldn’t be possible without our partners and in particular Mubadala Investment Company, which has increased its commitment to SailGP over the next three seasons, along with the support of Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
“Together we will work to promote climate-positive solutions and foster transformative change within the region, through initiatives such as Inspire, and look at ways that we can make an impact long into the future.”
Spectators in Abu Dhabi will witness the 10 national teams competing for points over two days across five races before a final showdown featuring the top-three teams to decide the event winner.
Several seating ticket categories are available, while those with their own boats can also enjoy the action from the waters on the racecourse perimeter.
For more information, visit: SailGP.com/Abu Dhabi
