Grant Dalton, Executive Director of the America's Cup Photo: Ricardo Pinto
Grant Dalton, Executive Director of the 37th America's Cup in Barcelona next admitted that Saudi Arabia is bidding to host the world's oldest international trophy in 2028 following a “hugely successful” regatta in Jeddah over the past three days.
In an exclusive interview with Telegraph Sport, Dalton dismissed concerns about “sports washing”, saying the Saudis have been excellent hosts and partners.
Saudi Arabia has been seizing sporting lands over the past few years, bringing top-level football to the kingdom , boxing, golf, tennis and Formula 1 as part of a long-term strategy. The FIFA World Cup, the world's largest sporting event outside the Olympic Games, is scheduled to take place in the country in 2034.
Saudi Arabia has also submitted a bid to host the 37th America's Cup. But Dalton, who is also chief executive of defenders Emirates Team New Zealand, eventually agreed to a deal with Barcelona after it became clear it was not commercially viable to keep the Cup in Auckland. But he admitted that if New Zealand successfully defend the Cup again, he would have no problem returning to Saudi Arabia.
“We made the right choice not to come here next year.”
“I think we made the right choice not to come here next year,” Dalton said. “And I think the Saudis will accept that now, even though they were completely out of their depth at the time. it was too early. But we may well return. Of course, it is up to them whether they want to participate in the auction.”
Dalton said he was “very pleased” with how the Jeddah event went. The three-day regatta, won by New Zealand, was the second of two preliminary regattas ahead of next autumn's Cup in Barcelona. “It’s perfect here,” Dalton said of the Red Sea port city, which also hosts the Formula One Grand Prix. “The conditions are ideal, the equipment is world class.”
Dalton added that Jeddah had challenged rock promoters, leaving particular criticism for challengers American Magic, whom he accused of stoking unfounded safety fears and trying to cancel the event. “I think people who have never been [to Saudi Arabia] before are finding that it’s not what they thought it was,” Dalton said. “A lot of people convince themselves that they are going to go to Mogadishu at Blackhawk Down.
“I think that's the mindset that Americans have developed. They were obsessed. They asked questions like: “What happens if a jet ski loaded with explosives crashes into one of the boats?”, “What if they block the airspace and we can’t get out?”
“They didn't understand that if the [Saudi] sports ministry thought there was a problem with Israel and Gaza, they would be the first to cancel the program because that's the last thing they need when they're trying to develop sports. in the country.
“Americans are pretty shy these days. Terry [Hutchinson, American Magic captain] was at the [ATP Tour] tennis tournament in Jeddah last night.”
An American Magic spokesperson later denied this latter claim, saying, “Neither Terry Hutchinson nor any member of the American Magic team was present at this particular event.”
Criticism of human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia and uses whether the country sports to divert attention from this, Dalton said: “There are always a lot of cliché answers to this question. “You can’t change from the outside, you have to change from the inside,” etc.
“All I want to say is that they are great partners. They are hospitable. There is a real desire to help, and they get things done. And when you're hosting an event, it's quite tempting… you don't get caught in a political storm every time you want to put a door in the side of a building.
“They also use sailing to inspire. The Jeddah Yacht Club Academy has already trained 2,000 boys and girls. And just in the last few days, this academy has been given the go-ahead to expand throughout Saudi Arabia.
“Maybe this is a 'sports wash', whatever that is. But if it’s good for shipping and good for Saudi Arabia, then it’s good enough for me.”
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