American opponents are thinking of a boycott: Alinghi Red Bull now sails in Saudi Arabia

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The sailors of Alinghi Red Bull Racing have just opened their new team base in the middle of the port of Barcelona. Naturally, to prepare as best as possible for Barcelona’s comeback to the 2024 America’s Cup.

But now the Genevans are suddenly in Saudi Arabia, sailing in the Red Sea off the city of Jeddah. What’s happening there? The Swiss are practicing in the Middle East for the second preliminary regatta of the America’s Cup, which will take place in Jeddah at the end of November. The Saudis are now also involved in Formula 1 sailing. Before the 2024 America’s Cup was awarded to Barcelona, ​​Jeddah was also considered as a venue.

New Zealanders chose Jeddah as the competition location

You need to know: The rules of the oldest sports competition in the world stipulate that the defending champion determines the next location. As the 2021 winner, Team New Zealand negotiated with the interested cities. The New Zealanders did not dare to award the entire America’s Cup to controversial Saudi Arabia. But now the teams visit Asia for the second of three preliminary regattas, for the first time in the history of the America’s Cup.

New Zealander Grant Dalton is OC boss and defends the trip to Jeddah in the New Zealand media: “I don’t expect much protest. The criticism often comes from people who have never been there. I’ve been there and seen that this is a great place for sailing.”

Participation of the American team is not yet final

However, there are also concerns about the six America’s Cup teams. The American syndicate American Magic initially wanted to boycott participation because the US warned its citizens against traveling to Saudi Arabia. Rumors also circulated around Alinghi Red Bull Racing that they were not very enthusiastic about the trip to the Red Sea.

But participation in the preparatory regattas is mandatory. It is expected that American Magic – also winner of the first preliminary regatta in Vilanova, Spain – will also arrive.

And Alinghi? The team from Geneva has now landed in Jeddah as the first team and is training on the two AC40 boats with which the preliminary regatta will be contested. The Saudi Minister of Sports, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud, has already undergone training on the support boat. And – political or not, the wind conditions in the Red Sea have so far been excellent for the lightning-fast racing boats.

Source : Blick