First Ever Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council to make a splash in the capital’s waters
Anyone who has explored the rich history of maritime culture in Abu Dhabi and beyond will know that pearl diving and fishing were two of the most important aspects of heritage here in the UAE for years.
That is one of the main reasons why the organisers of SailGP felt it would be the ideal location to host one of their famed races, in a setting stepped in maritime history. Furthermore, they have taken this opportunity to educate the children of the capital about the importance of pastimes such as sailing in this district.
With this in mind, a dedicated community, education and outreach initiative, Inspire, makes its debut in Abu Dhabi as part of the first ever Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council from 13 to 14 January.
In association with Mubadala who became the Global Partner of the Inspire Program for Season 4, Abu Dhabi will have one of the busiest schedules of events for dedicated community, education and outreach initiatives.
The activities in Abu Dhabi fall under the Inspire program’s three pillars – Learning, Careers and Racing – which aim to make a positive lasting impact on young people and communities in the city.
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SailGP, the world’s most exciting racing on water, founded the Inspire initiative to help diversify the sport for young people, without any race, gender, or socioeconomic barriers. Through its Learning, Careers and Racing programmes, the league hopes to leave a legacy within the local communities that host each event.
To date, 17,368 young people have taken part in the programmes since its inception – far exceeding the initial 10,000 target set – and the league has increased its ambition to 25,000 by the end of Season 5.
Through SailGP’s Learning programme, 705 Abu Dhabi students aged between 9-15, from 13 schools will enjoy a unique experience at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council. The programme will feature an engaging tour of the SailGP Technical Site at Mina Zayed and STEM activities teaching the science behind the sport.
The highlights in Abu Dhabi also include SailGP opening its doors to 23 young professionals to take part in a week’s work experience. It will also host exclusive taster and coaching clinics for those aged under 21, offering the unique opportunity to experience foiling – where boats effectively fly out of the water.
The Inspire Careers programme will provide 23 individuals aged 18 and above, with a diverse mix of male and female participants, the opportunity to join SailGP’s key departments, spanning boat building, hydraulics, sustainability, media services and shore team roles which are designed to showcase the various career pathways in the sailing industry.
The first ever Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council will take place at Mina Zayed from January 13-14, 2024 with tickets on sale at SailGP.com/AbuDhabi
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