Local sailing authorities feel Dubai stands to benefit from Alinghi's America's Cup win on Tuesday.

"Dubai and the UAE has benefitted from the America's Cup", Saeed Hareb, Managing Director of Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) told Gulf News. "And Alinghi's win brings in added value for Dubai."

"Alinghi's successful defence of the Cup portrays Dubai on the international stage as a sailing venue", he added. "People are bound to take notice."

America's Cup defender Alinghi came and set up a training base in Dubai last winter. "And obviously, they benefitted from nearly the three months they spent in Dubai," Hareb said.

Alinghi defeated Emirates Team New Zealand 5-2 to successfully defend the Cup. Emirates Team New Zealand, the second finalist, was sponsored by Dubai-based Emirates airline to mount the challenge for the America's Cup. And besides the two finalists, Swedish team Victory Challenge also camped in Dubai earlier this year.

"For Alinghi, it was a good ploy being in Dubai. The profile of the sport is going so high, not only in the UAE, but all over the Middle East," said Sid Bensaleh, Sailing Manager at DIMC. "I am certain Dubai will have the opportunity to host at least one of the Acts leading up to the next America's Cup".

With Alinghi showing an inclination of favouring Dubai, Hareb disclosed that he would be proposing a Dubai World Cup for competing boats of next America's Cup.

"This is only a proposal and it will be taken up at the next meeting of the DIMC committee", Hareb said. "If the committee is in favour, we will take up the matter with the America's Cup organisers".

"We have had four boats at one time. I don't see why we cannot have a few more boats at the same time", he added. "We are not inclined to hosting one of the Acts, but we would be interested to hosting the World Cup sometime during their mid-season break. Nothing is final at this moment...this is only an idea."