Coutts Highlights Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix's Key Role in Sport

With less than a month left, excitement is growing for SailGP’s big season-opening race in Dubai. This event is a huge moment for sports in the UAE and is a big part of this year’s sports calendar. SailGP is starting its season with its biggest group of 11 teams. Two new countries, Italy and the Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team, are also joining, making this season even more thrilling.

SailGP’s CEO, Sir Russell Coutts, who is an Olympic champion and a five-time America’s Cup winner, talked about why this Dubai race is so important. He said the Middle East is a very important place for SailGP. Working with partners like Mubadala, Emirates, P&O Marinas, the Dubai Sports Council, and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, along with global partners like Rolex, Oracle, and Apex, is a big step for SailGP. He also shared that even more partners will be joining soon.

This is SailGP’s fifth season. The season will start in Dubai and end in Abu Dhabi, making a full circle around the world, with races in famous cities like New York, Rio De Janeiro, and Geneva. In Season 4, Spain surprised everyone by winning the big $2 million prize, beating Australia and New Zealand. Coutts said that the league is now very close and competitive.

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This summer, many teams changed their lineups to get better, starting what people are calling a “transfer war.” Some new sailors are also joining this season. Brazilian sailor Martine Grael, who has won two Olympic gold medals, will be the first female driver in SailGP. And fans are curious about who will drive for Emirates Great Britain, as Giles Scott just left to race for Canada.

Dubai has already hosted SailGP twice before, including a race with a very close finish where New Zealand barely beat Canada and Australia. Fans along the shore cheered as they watched the photo finish. This season, fans can once again see the close-up action of the race in front of Dubai’s beautiful skyline.

The event will also have fun on land. SailGP has teamed up with Nikki Beach to give fans a special experience, with live performances by popular artists Tinie Tempah and Craig David after each day’s races.

Coutts shared that Dubai is an amazing place for SailGP and lets fans be close to the fast racing. He said, “This month’s event in Dubai is one not to be missed, whether you’re a long-time fan or new to SailGP.” This season opener will be an exciting moment for the sport and its fans, with Dubai being the perfect place for high-speed racing on water.