The International Sailing Federation's (ISAF) World Cup Final, the world's pinnacle sailing regatta contested by the best Olympic-class competitors, is on its way to the United Arab Emirates.

ISAF has agreed to stage the ISAF Sailing World Cup Final in the UAE capital for the next six years, starting this year following a multi-stakeholder approach by Abu Dhabi Sailing & Yacht Club (ADSYC) with the support of the UAE Sailing & Rowing Federation (UAE SARF) and Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi.

“This is a major surge forward in Abu Dhabi's campaign to be recognised as an international sailing hub and another fantastic opportunity for our youngsters to compete with and learn off the world's best,” said HE Ahmed Thani Al Romaithi, Chairman, ADSYC and Vice-President, UAE SARF.

An associated deal sealed today between ISAF and TCA Abu Dhabi will also see the UAE capital host the 2016 ISAF Annual Conference when delegates, who include representatives of national governing bodies, class associations, leading industry personalities, manufacturers, sponsors and the media, discuss the hottest topics facing the sport. The 2016 Conference, which is estimated will deliver 1,500 hotel room nights to Abu Dhabi, will also feature a Presidential election.

“We have found a highly committed partner in Abu Dhabi and look forward to helping move forward the sailing ambitions of the emirate and the Arabian Gulf. This is a great opportunity for sailing as a sport” said Mr Carlo Croce, President, ISAF.

“We have struck a ground-breaking partnership with a world-class destination for a Tier-1 event.”

The 2014 ISAF Sailing World Cup Final will take place in Abu Dhabi from 26-30 November. Around 350 sailors from 20 countries are expected in Abu Dhabi to compete in all 10 Olympic events and a kite-surfing event, in and around Lulu Island off the UAE capital's stunning Corniche.

The events will be covered by the international sailing media and an ISAF television audience in over 100 countries.

“This year's Final is only three weeks before Abu Dhabi hosts a Volvo Ocean Race stopover when again, the city will be alive with all things maritime, sailing and entertainment,” said Sheikh Khaled Zayed Saqr Al Nahyan, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Sailing & Rowing Federation.

“By the time we enter the New Year, the emirate's watersports credentials of an ambient winter climate, over 400 kilometres of coastline, Blue Flagged beaches, state-of-the-art marinas, a plethora of natural islands and warm, clean waters, will have reached new international heights. Abu Dhabi will be synonymous with sailing and water-borne activities.”

The 2014 Final will comes hot on the heels of two other key international events being staged in the emirate this November.

“November is shaping up to be an action-packed month in Abu Dhabi, with Abu Dhabi Art and thousands of international motorsport fans once again arriving in the emirate for the Formula 1® Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. I hope our international guests will be persuaded to extend their stay to witness the Final,” said Sultan Al Dhaheri, Acting Executive Director Tourism, TCA Abu Dhabi.

The athletes are expected to arrive early to train for the event and, in all, TCA Abu Dhabi estimates each Final will deliver around 7,500 hotel room nights to the UAE capital.

For more information about the ISAF Sailing World Cup, please go to: www.sailing.org/worldcup

-ENDS-

Editors Notes

The ISAF Sailing World Cup is a world-class annual series for Olympic sailing. It is open to the sailing events chosen for the 2016 Olympic Sailing Competitions.

The ISAF Sailing World Cup brings together the major regattas on the Olympic sailing circuit. Over 2,000 of the world's leading sailors representing 75 nations competed in the sixth season of the World Cup, 2013-2014.

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Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The authority manages the emirate's tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The authority supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate's heritage. A key authority role is to create synergy in the destination's development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.

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