Oman hosting first of 2016 World Series Feb. 27-28
February 21, 2016
SAN DIEGO — America’s Cup racing will be held in the Middle East for the first time when the America’s Cup World Series is sailed in Muscat, Oman on Feb. 27-28.
A point scoring event for the opening stages of the 35th America’s Cup in Bermuda in 2017, the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series in Oman is the curtain raiser to the 2016 season, which will be spread over six different venues around the world, including two in the United States.
It’s a surprising choice, considering that American billionaire Larry Ellison opposed the region as the venue for the 2010 America’s Cup, citing in part safety concerns because of its proximity to Iran.
Teams from the United States, New Zealand, France, England, Sweden and Japan are part of the America’s Cup World Series circuit — a series of regattas leading up to the 2017 America’s Cup in Bermuda.
Five events are scheduled for the 2016 Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series including the event in Oman plus events in New York — May 7-8; Chicago — June 11-12; Portsmouth, UK — July 23-24; Toulon, France — September 10-11. The location of a sixth event, expected to be held in November, has not been announced.
A report from The Associated Press was used in this story.
