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37th America's Cup: Second Preliminary Regatta Kicks off in Jeddah

The second preliminary regatta of the 37th America’s Cup, presented by NEOM, commenced on Wednesday on the Red Sea in Jeddah, SPA said on Thursday.
The second preliminary regatta of the 37th America’s Cup, presented by NEOM, commenced on Wednesday on the Red Sea in Jeddah, SPA said on Thursday.
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37th America's Cup: Second Preliminary Regatta Kicks off in Jeddah

The second preliminary regatta of the 37th America’s Cup, presented by NEOM, commenced on Wednesday on the Red Sea in Jeddah, SPA said on Thursday.
The second preliminary regatta of the 37th America’s Cup, presented by NEOM, commenced on Wednesday on the Red Sea in Jeddah, SPA said on Thursday.

The second preliminary regatta of the 37th America’s Cup, presented by NEOM, commenced on the Red Sea in Jeddah, SPA said on Thursday.
Six teams are competing in the regatta, which is powered by the Saudi Sailing Federation in cooperation with the Ministry of Sport.
Tom Slingsby, Helmsman for the NYYC American Magic team and the male recipient of the 2023 Rolex World Sailor of the Year award, highlighted the significance of the preliminary regatta in further bolstering the sailors’ confidence in their skills and abilities.
The regatta provides the sailors with a clear roadmap to secure victory in the 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, Slingsby said. By identifying weaknesses and learning from past mistakes in Vilanova i la Geltrْ, Spain, and Jeddah, they can enhance their overall performance, he added.
Kevin Peponnet from the French Orient Express Racing Team eagerly anticipates the races on Thursday, particularly due to the ideal sailing conditions in Jeddah during this time of the year.
He commended the well-coordinated organization and the warm reception extended by the Saudi Sailing Federation and the Ministry of Sport.
The official races of the regatta will take place from Thursday to Saturday, and the team with the highest number of points will be awarded the NEOM Cup.

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Second Round of Saudi Toyota Drift and Autocross Championships Kicks Off in Al-Ahsa

The drift competition features 59 drivers contending across professional, semi-professional, and amateur categories - SPA
The drift competition features 59 drivers contending across professional, semi-professional, and amateur categories - SPA
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Second Round of Saudi Toyota Drift and Autocross Championships Kicks Off in Al-Ahsa

The drift competition features 59 drivers contending across professional, semi-professional, and amateur categories - SPA
The drift competition features 59 drivers contending across professional, semi-professional, and amateur categories - SPA

The second round of the 2026 Saudi Toyota Championship Drift launched Thursday in Al-Ahsa Governorate, alongside the ongoing second round of the 2026 Saudi Toyota Championship Autocross.

The drift competition features 59 drivers contending across professional, semi-professional, and amateur categories. A further 59 racers are competing in the autocross championship across 11 classifications, including a dedicated women's cup, SPA reported.

Drift events continue today with qualifying sessions for amateur and semi-professional classes, alongside tandem battles in the professional tier, culminating in a podium ceremony.

Autocross track action commences on Saturday, with official drivers' briefings and practice runs, followed by two timed heats and the awards presentation.

Both championships will conclude their seasons in Jeddah, with the final round of the Saudi Toyota Championship Drift scheduled for November 26–27, followed by the decisive round of the Saudi Toyota Championship Autocross on November 27–28.

Sports

Hamilton Sets Sights on Racing in African Grand Prix

Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton is looking to 'punch out good results' over the next year. ANGELA WEISS / AFP
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton is looking to 'punch out good results' over the next year. ANGELA WEISS / AFP
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Hamilton Sets Sights on Racing in African Grand Prix

Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton is looking to 'punch out good results' over the next year. ANGELA WEISS / AFP
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton is looking to 'punch out good results' over the next year. ANGELA WEISS / AFP

Lewis Hamilton on Thursday welcomed Formula One's decision to return to Africa and suggested he would prolong his career to be able to take part in the grand prix in Rwanda.

Speaking ahead of this weekend's United States Grand Prix, the 41-year-old seven-time world champion said he was aware of concerns regarding Rwanda and said they should not be overlooked, said AFP.

"Of course, I don't get to choose where we go and, naturally, there's problems all over the world today," Hamilton said. "I've seen many of the stories, but I think we really have to approach it with humility."

Formula One announced a 10-year agreement to race in Rwanda last week with the race set to join the calendar after a circuit has been built in the early 2030s.

The last time an F1 race was held in Africa was the 33rd South African Grand Prix near Johannesburg in 1993 when Hamilton was eight years old.

"There's a lot that we don't know," added the Ferrari driver, who has called for a return to Africa for many years.

"Growing up in England, they never taught us anything about Africa. It needs to be on the curriculum.

"A lot of the problems they have there are still the results of colonialism and the West intervening, but if you see the people, you see so many designs that are out there today. Top brands come from Africa, and it's got all the richest resources.

"So hopefully many people start to educate themselves a little more about what is happening, what has happened for hundreds of years and I hope that does spark the conversation."

Hamilton, who warmly praised runaway championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes as he sat alongside him at a news conference, also revealed that he hopes to continue racing into his mid-forties.

"I'm looking forward to racing with him longer. I mean, I'm now forced to have to stay a lot longer because we have a race in Africa -- and that's been my dream, to be able to race in Africa."

The 20-year-old Italian replied: "So, you've got time. You've got to do at least the first one."

To which Hamilton responded. "I have to keep fighting to try and stay fit if I can. If I can still punch out good results over the next year, we'll keep it going."

Sports

Barcelona Aiming to Put Real Madrid Out of Sight in Clasico

Barcelona's Spanish forward #10 Lamine Yamal looks on during the UEFA Champions League first round day 3 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and FC Barcelona at the Parc de Princes stadium in Paris on October 20, 2026. (AFP)
Barcelona's Spanish forward #10 Lamine Yamal looks on during the UEFA Champions League first round day 3 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and FC Barcelona at the Parc de Princes stadium in Paris on October 20, 2026. (AFP)
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Barcelona Aiming to Put Real Madrid Out of Sight in Clasico

Barcelona's Spanish forward #10 Lamine Yamal looks on during the UEFA Champions League first round day 3 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and FC Barcelona at the Parc de Princes stadium in Paris on October 20, 2026. (AFP)
Barcelona's Spanish forward #10 Lamine Yamal looks on during the UEFA Champions League first round day 3 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and FC Barcelona at the Parc de Princes stadium in Paris on October 20, 2026. (AFP)

For weeks La Liga leaders Barcelona have been eagerly awaiting Sunday's Clasico as a chance to stretch the gap between themselves and rivals Real Madrid to a massive nine points.

Some turbulence in the final approach to the clash at Camp Nou has complicated the picture for Hansi Flick's Spanish champions, who suffered their first defeat of the season at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday.

By contrast Real Madrid have won four consecutive matches, thrashing RB Leipzig on Wednesday, and starting to look, for the first time since Jose Mourinho's arrival this summer, like a team.

Despite that, the equation remains favorable for Flick. With Raphinha fit again and teenage winger Lamine Yamal enjoying a state of grace, Barcelona will be confident of building on their six-point lead over third-placed Madrid.

A Clasico often proves a fork in the road. Last season Madrid won the first meeting against Barcelona but Vinicius Junior's outraged reaction at being substituted pulled apart the fragile seams of Xabi Alonso's new era.

The Basque coach was ousted little over two months later, and his replacement Alvaro Arbeloa was unable to stop Madrid finishing a second straight season without winning a major trophy, while Barca retained the Spanish title at a canter.

On Sunday, Brazil international Vinicius is suspended. Even aside from his underwhelming performances, his absence may help Madrid in terms of providing a clearer path for Mourinho.

"Vinicius's four-match suspension was seen within Real Madrid more as a solution than a problem," wrote Spanish daily AS.

Mourinho has largely deployed all of his team's stars when available, despite the difficulty it poses in terms of a cohesive game plan and finding balance between attack and defense.

Record 140 million euro ($157m) signing Yan Diomande offers more defensively and he is starting to hit his stride going forward, meaning the teenager may be Mourinho's choice against Barca.

An alternative would be to add an extra midfielder to try and disrupt Flick's free-flowing Barcelona, a strategy firmly within Mourinho's wheelhouse, although PSG showed Barca are easier to beat by attacking.

Despite Madrid's improving recent form, Mourinho insisted "confidence doesn't exist" for Clasicos.

"It's not a game like the others... we're losing 24 hours of rest (compared to Barcelona)," Mourinho complained on Wednesday.

- Defensive doubts -

Barcelona have their own problems regardless, including several injury concerns in defense. Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen are sidelined, while Jules Kounde is a doubt. Midfielder Dani Olmo is also out injured.

Furthermore, the Catalan giants shipped four goals against PSG and showed they are no closer to solving their vulnerability at the back, something which has persisted in the Flick era, partially caused by their high defensive line.

"We made too many mistakes, especially in ball possession, easy ball losses," admitted Flick. "This is what we have to analyze...

"We have to understand the mistakes happen because (players) are not fresh. What they had to do the last couple of weeks is unbelievable."

The good news for Barcelona is that they still have the Midas touch -- everything turns to goals. They have scored at least twice in every match this season.

"Our unbeaten run (domestically) is still intact, and we'll do everything we can to keep it that way," Raphinha told TNT Sports.

Barcelona have averaged over four goals a game this season and Raphinha is the league's top scorer, with 12 goals, three more than Kylian Mbappe has scored for Real Madrid, with Yamal third on eight.

Mbappe and Yamal are both hoping they will be crowned the planet's best player on Monday at the Ballon d'Or ceremony, but the bigger prize for their teams would be a Clasico victory.