Concerns about having a yacht race in the Arabian Gulf were set aside with the announcement that the final Louis Vuitton Trophy regatta in 2010 will be held in Dubai later this year.
Doubts over the region’s suitability as a venue for sailing events surfaced after the detention of the four British sailors by the Iranian authorities after they strayed into foreign waters while delivering a race yacht to Dubai for the Dubai to Muscat Race. Tony Bullimore was also detained in the same waters during the Oryx Quest in 2005 and 15 Royal Navy personnel were held for 12 days by Iran revolutionary Guards in 2007. The New York Supreme Court ruled out Ras Al Khaimah as a venue for the 33rd America’s Cup earlier this year which did little to enhance the Gulf’s credentials as a sailing venue. – From Telegraph