BROADCASTS.com

b'

Grant Dalton is not expecting much backlash from the decision to take an America\\u2019s Cup preliminary regatta to Saudi Arabia.\\xa0

After being touted as a potential host venue for the 37th edition of the America\\u2019s Cup in 2024 before Barcelona was finally revealed as the chosen host, Jeddah will host the second of three preliminary regattas, with America\\u2019s Cup teams to descend on the Saudi Arabian port city in late November.\\xa0

It\\u2019s another case of Saudi Arabia\\u2019s controversial rise as a major player in world sport, labelled as \\u2018sportswashing\\u2019. Examples include the country\\u2019s heavy involved in the worlds of football, Formula One, combat sports, and golf, with human rights organisations arguing Saudi Arabia is using sport to divert attention from its tarnished reputation and human rights violations.\\xa0

Speaking to Newstalk ZB\\u2019s Mike Hosking, Dalton said he did not expect to face much political backlash when the America\\u2019s Cup ventures to the Middle East.\\xa0

\\u201cNo. Frankly, I think that, from our side, it\\u2019s the future,\\u201d Dalton said.\\xa0

\\u201cSaudi Arabia and, in this case, Jeddah is embracing it, all sports are embracing it. There\\u2019s always political fallout but, I would suggest, from a lot of people that frankly haven\\u2019t been there. I have been there and I\\u2019ve seen what is happening, and I think it\\u2019s a great place.\\u201d\\xa0

Posed with the debate over Saudi Arabia pumping money into sports and that it is where the centre of sport is eventually going to be, Dalton said \\u201cyou\\u2019ll never win that argument\\u201d but noted that with a large percentage of the Saudi Arabian population being under 34 it was a way for the nation to find pathways into sport.\\xa0

Reuters reports that a 2022 census showed 63 per cent of the nation\\u2019s population were under age 30, while the median age of the total population was 29.\\xa0

\\u201cIt\\u2019s just one fact alone,\\u201d Dalton said. \\u201cI think get onboard because that is the future.\\u201d\\xa0

The decision to host a preliminary regatta immediately created an issue for one America\\u2019s Cup syndicate, with the New York Yacht Club\\u2019s American Magic unsuccessfully seeking an exemption from participating in the regatta. They cited heightened safety concerns for a team representing America in a place marked by the US State Department as a terror risk.\\xa0

Sailing in the preliminary regattas is compulsory for all teams, and the arbitration panel ruled the matter was out of their hands, leaving the decision to Team New Zealand and Ineos Britannia as the defender and challenger of record respectively.\\xa0

In their submissions to the panel in regard to American Magic\\u2019s application, both Team New Zealand and Britannia opposed it being granted, however a formal decision on the matter is yet to be announced.\\xa0

For now, all attention will be on the first preliminary regatta in Vilanova i la Geltru, about 50km southwest of Barcelona, this weekend where the teams will get their first opportunity for proper racing against one another \\u2013 albeit in the one-design AC40s.\\xa0

The same vessels will be used for the event in Jeddah, with the final preliminary regatta being contested on AC75s, just before the beginning of the Challenger Series next August.\\xa0

-NZ Herald\\xa0

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.