JEDDAH: Alinghi Red Bull Racing sailing team are gearing up for the second preliminary regatta of the 37th America’s Cup, to be held in Jeddah from Nov. 29-Dec. 2.
The team were the first of the six America’s Cup entries to arrive in Jeddah three weeks ago to train, and along with the shore team set up a temporary base to prepare the AC40 boats.
Initial conditions were perfect, providing an ideal opportunity to train and test out of Jeddah’s scenic Corniche.
Local media witnessed a daily training session of the Swiss sailing team on Thursday on the crystal waters of the Red Sea.
Silvio Arrivabene, one of the general managers of Alinghi Red Bull Racing, told Arab News that the team are focused on the event, especially after their misfortune during the first preliminary regatta in Vilanova in September following a hydraulics failure.
Arrivabene, who is one of Alinghi’s key men, has been called upon to share his long experience of the America’s Cup with his team.
He said: “First of all, it is our pleasure being here in Jeddah and we appreciate the great welcome we have received from the residents of Jeddah since we arrived.
“We have been lucky enough to have had a few days of training ahead of the competition. We found exceptional conditions here in the Red Sea after bringing our two AC40 boats.
“We are continuing our training (and hope) to be ready for the official day next week to sail from Jeddah Yacht club.
“It seems that everyone we meet here is very excited and we hope they enjoy the competition and learn more about this thrilling sport, especially if they are seeing it for the first time.”
Alinghi, after more than a decade away from the America’s Cup, are returning to do battle for sailing’s highest honor. The double America’s Cup-winning syndicate has joined forces with Red Bull to create a new team, Alinghi Red Bull Racing.
Fourteen sailors have been selected to join the team. While some are new to the sport, they are being supported by several of sailing’s biggest names.
Alinghi Red Bull Racing sailing team gears up for America’s Cup preliminary regatta
https://arab.news/4fe44
Alinghi Red Bull Racing sailing team gears up for America’s Cup preliminary regatta

- Jeddah arrivals have been preparing in Kingdom for 3 weeks
- Initial conditions were perfect for sessions in the water
AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez joins Saudi side Al-Hilal

- The 27-year-old French defender joins Al-Hilal on a three-year deal
Paris: Saudi club Al-Hilal on Thursday signed AC Milan’s French full-back Theo Hernandez on a three-year contract.
The 27-year-old leaves the Serie A side in a deal worth 25 million euros ($29.2 million), Italian media report.
Hernandez has played 38 times for France with two goals, and figured in the last World Cup, including the defeat by Argentina on penalties in the 2022 final in Qatar.
Moving to the Saudi Pro League a year before the next World Cup could be considered a risk for his chances of getting called up again by coach Didier Deschamps.
But he can take encouragement that Deschamps selected N’Golo Kante for Euro 2024 whilst he was playing for another Saudi club, Al-Ittihad.
Theo is the younger brother of Paris Saint-Germain and France defender Lucas Hernandez.
Al-Hilal stars hitting new heights at FIFA Club World Cup

- In three of the Riyadh club’s four matches in the US, different Al-Hilal players have received the Man of the Match award
DUBAI: Whenever called upon, collectively and individually, Al-Hilal’s players have stepped up at just the right moments at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Not many teams concede three goals against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and live to tell the tale. But that is exactly what Al-Hilal did on June 30 with their incredible 4-3 win in the Round of 16.
In just a few short weeks, new coach Simone Inzaghi looks to have transformed the team tactically and mentally after a disappointing season that saw them relinquish the much-craved Saudi Pro League title.
Fans and analysts have praised the intricate passing style that Inzaghi’s team has displayed in their four matches, which have delivered two draws — including one against Real Madrid in Miami — and a win in the group stages, before the famous victory over the former Premier League champions.
What has been striking as well is the standout performance of several individuals, with different Al-Hilal players being awarded the Man of the Match in three of the four encounters.
Even in the one match they did not receive the award, the 1-1 draw against Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid on June 18, it could be argued that the outstanding player of the match was Salem Al-Dawsari, who gave debutant Trent Alexander-Arnold a difficult first half from the left wing. Instead, the vote went to Gonzalo Garcia.
The 0-0 draw with Red Bull Salzburg at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. on June 22 saw Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou follow up his penalty-saving heroics in the opener with another outstanding performance, ensuring the Saudi team secured a point and went into the last matchday with all to play for.
Against Pachuca CF of Mexico on June 26 in Nashville, it was the turn of inspirational captain Al-Dawsari to be acclaimed with the Man of the Match award after scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 win that saw Al-Hilal progress to the knockout stages of the tournament.
Meanwhile, the epic win over Manchester City in Orlando was marked by a two-goal performance from Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo, who accepted the Man of the Match award in emotional circumstances.
Al-Hilal will now face Fluminense of Brazil on Friday evening in Orlando for a place in the semifinals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup against either Palmeiras or Chelsea.
Who will be the next star to step up for the Blues?
Can Inzaghi and Al-Hilal go all the way?

- Arab News looks at possible ways that Al-Hilal can upset the odds to reach and possibly win the FIFA Club World Cup final
RIYADH: Al-Hilal are the talk of the football world after their sensational 4-3 win over Manchester City in the round of 16 at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Ahead of their quarterfinal against Brazil’s Fluminense on Friday, Arab News asked three experts on Saudi Arabia football how Al-Hilal can continue to upset the odds and potentially reach and win the final.
- Roel Coumans - Former Saudi Arabia national team assistant, head coach of Abha, Al-Hazm, Al-Adalah
“If Al-Hilal are in any European competition then they would be in the top four and there is no doubt that when Fluminense look at the Hilal team, they will not be underestimating them.
“In football everything is possible and Hilal can go all the way. I always tell my players to dream big, this is what football is all about.
“But it is important that Hilal don’t look forward too much, the next match is always the important one. There is a chance that after City the players may underestimate Fluminense and that is not possible at this level.
“They should involve the Brazilian players who can tell them about Fluminense.
“The game will be totally different to the City game. In that, they were the underdog and you have to defend much more than against Fluminense.
“When I look at Inzaghi’s tactics, he is always trying to play in a compact 4-5-1 formation and he will ensure that the system is not too different.
“There is a danger in that South America football is more physical and that may be something that the players are not used to.
“But now there is a good vibe around Al-Hilal. If Al-Dawsari can return that will be great as he adds creativity.”
- Paul Williams - Founder and host of The Asian Game podcast, football journalist
“Al-Hilal’s path to the Club World Cup final has certainly opened up after their stunning upset win over Manchester City. It was a landmark moment, not just for the club but for Saudi football.
“While the challenge on paper might look easier against Fluminense, it’s likely to be anything but.
“One has to consider the context and circumstances of the victory against Manchester City, which was achieved without three of their starting XI, who will all be absent again against Fluminense.
“Not to mention the physical and emotional toll that the 120 minutes in Orlando would have taken. But having slayed the Premier League giant, they’ll attack that game with a renewed sense of vigor.
“Should they get through, then a likely semifinal against Chelsea awaits, although one can never discount Palmeiras. But having beaten one Premier League giant already this tournament, facing Chelsea would hold no fears for them.
“And then it would likely be Real Madrid or PSG in the final, and having already gone toe-to-toe with Real Madrid in the opening game, and even shading that game for large parts, that is another that would hold no fear for Al-Hilal.
“Of course, as fun as it is to speculate, it’s all still hypothetical and Al-Hilal cannot allow itself to think any further than Fluminense this week. Having dispensed of Inter Milan, they have shown they also should not be taken lightly.
“But after defeating the might of Manchester City, Al-Hilal will now believe anything is possible.”
- John Duerden - Asia and Middle East football writer and analyst
“While it is premature to talk of the draw opening up for Al-Hilal, there is no doubt that the road to the final looks rockier on the other side.
“The biggest challenge may be coming back down to Earth after the win against Manchester City.
“Coach Inzaghi talked of how his team climbed Everest without oxygen against the European powerhouse, and while those words were perfect, the message has to now change.
“The summit is within sight but is still some distance away.
“Hilal are the talk of the football world, and that is a unique position for an Asian club to be in. Maybe now the pressure is off, the tournament will always be remembered as a success, whatever happens.
“Or maybe it will be hard, both physically (after 120 grueling minutes in the heat) and mentally, to recover from the last game.
“And, Fluminense will now be very wary, if they weren’t before. Inzaghi was happy to let City have most of the ball and City were happy to have it. Hilal were hugely impressive on the counter, but Fluminense are not likely to make the same mistakes that City did defensively.
“Korea’s Ulsan gave the Brazilian(s) many problems but couldn’t kill the game when they were ahead and eventually paid the price. Taking chances will be key.
“If Salem Al-Dawsari plays, then he could be the difference, though Hilal would love to have the physical presence of Aleksandar Mitrovic.
“A win means the last four and there is nobody to fear. If it is Chelsea in the semifinal then the London team are awkward opponents and able to pull off results when needed but they are a level below the elite of Europe.
“And that is Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern. Surely one of those will make the final.
“Hilal have impressed but would, rightly, be clear underdogs. Hilal are not expected to win but they have shown that they are capable of doing so.
“First though, that cliche has to be repeated all around the training ground over the next day or two ‘one game at a time.’”
Riyadh to host leaders at New Global Sport Conference 2025

- Event takes place in August at Four Seasons Hotel
RIYADH: Riyadh is to welcome global leaders from sport, electronic sports, and entertainment at the New Global Sport Conference 2025 on Aug. 23-24 at the Four Seasons Hotel.
Organized by the Esports World Cup Foundation, the event coincides with the closing weekend of the Esports World Cup, the world’s largest event of its type.
Called “The Next Game — Building the Future of Gaming, Esports, and Sports,” the conference will bring together more than 1,500 industry leaders for keynotes, strategy sessions, and high-level networking.
Confirmed speakers include Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, president of the Saudi Esports Federation; Casey Wasserman, chairman of LA28; Toshimoto Mitomo, Sony’s chief strategy officer; and World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen. Senior executives from Activision, Sega, Bandai Namco, Disney, and CBS Sports will also participate.
Ralf Reichert, the CEO of EWCF, said the event was occurring at a time of transformation, and added: “As the boundaries between sports, e-sports, entertainment, and technology dissolve, this event becomes the premier global stage for leaders to explore new horizons and create groundbreaking collaborations."
Tickets are now available at www.newglobalsportconference.com. Additional speakers and the full programme will be announced soon.
Saudi Arabia a ‘pivotal force’ in reshaping world football and sport, says US expert

- Kristian Coates Ulrichsen speaking to SPA following release of his new book “Kingdom of Football: Saudi Arabia and the Remaking of World Soccer”
LONDON: Saudi Arabia is playing a central role in transforming global football and wider sport, according to Middle East expert Kristian Coates Ulrichsen of the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University.
Speaking to the Saudi Press Agency following the release of his new book “Kingdom of Football: Saudi Arabia and the Remaking of World Soccer,” Ulrichsen said the Kingdom’s rise in global sport is “not a temporary shift but a broad transformation with political, economic, social, and cultural dimensions.”
He continued: “The Kingdom has undergone profound changes and has quickly and decisively entered the global sports arena through club acquisitions, sponsorship of major tournaments, and hosting high-profile events, notably the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2034.”
Ulrichsen noted the country’s long footballing heritage, with top-tier clubs approaching their centenary milestones and the national team having reached five consecutive AFC Asian Cup finals.
He also highlighted Saudi clubs’ strong record in continental competitions since the early 2000s.
In the book, he stresses that sport, entertainment, and tourism form “integral pillars of Vision 2030 and (are) essential to positioning Saudi Arabia as a global destination” in the coming years.
“Saudi Arabia’s engagement with sports has generated global impact across football, boxing, Formula 1, and even cricket, tennis, and e-sports,” he added.
“These sectors are expected to dominate international discussions throughout the next decade leading up to 2034.”