Abu Dhabi to host Cowes Week sailing regatta 2023

AFP

Abu Dhabi has created sporting history by attracting the sailing regatta Cowes Week to its shores in January 2023, consolidating its position as the Middle East's sports capital.

Since 1826, Cowes week has been a permanent fixture in the British sporting summer calendar, making it one of the oldest and most successful sporting events in the world.

The international regatta now hosts up to 40 daily races for around 750 boats, making it the largest of its kind in the world.

Khalid Al Mutawa, Chairman of Global Mission and Chairman of Z Zone Events LLC, highlighted how the event "will provide local and regional sailors with an ideal opportunity to compete with the best in the world".

"While Cowes Week has been around for almost 200 years, it is only recently that it has been organised by a single body and will take place outside of the UK for the first time ever in 2023.

"In addition to showcasing UAE's sporting attractions to the world, the event will also make Abu Dhabi's tourism attractions more accessible. The week-long carnival is expected to generate around 25,000 room nights in Abu Dhabi during January 2023 and we plan to make this a permanent fixture," he added.

Over 8,500 competitors compete in the event, including Olympic and world-class professionals as well as weekend sailors.

The event is expected to attract more than 100,000 spectators.