With the 2nd America’s Cup preliminary event wrapped-up, the spotlight swings onto the SailGP US$2 million winner-takes-all, Championship-deciding Grand Final in Abu Dahbi.
Russell Coutts has been quiet regarding whether the Dubai and Abu Dhabi SailGP season ending events will take place – continuing ticket promotions for both – but must be weighing up whether it is worth shipping all the boats and organising the logistics required to hold events in an area of ‘international conflict’.
Formula 1 cancelled two Middle East events in April and have relocated the Grand Prix scheduled for Bahrain, 2 – 4 October, to the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia due to the conflict in the Middle East, commenting “Safety and well-being will guide our decisions”.
Now renamed the ‘Bahrain GP in Malaysia’ it returns Formula 1 to Malaysia after a gap of 9 years. Imola, Italy is on standby if the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi GP, (4-6 Dec) event is also dropped.
And therein lies the problem for SailGP . . . finding a host for the event at short notice. A complete cancellation of the event, with its US$2 million winner-takes-all awarded to the winner of the Season Grand Final race, rather puts a damp squib on the highly promoted end of season celebrations.
Perhaps President Trump can finally settle a peace deal in time to save the Dubai (21-22 Nov) and Abu Dhabi (28-29 Nov) Sail Grand Prix. And if not you can be sure that SailGP – like Formula 1 – will be back as soon as a lasting peace is achieved.
The two SailGP events are already included in the 2027 calendar, with Abu Dhabi again hosting the end of season the Grand Final event, hopefully the ‘international conflict’ will have been resolved by then.
Government (GB/US) advice is to re-consider non-essential travel to the region.
SailGP have been asked for comment.