Sutton Harbour Marina
News
Race Fleet and the crowds arrive at Sutton Harbour.
The 13 IMOCA 60s and 11 Class40 boats competing in The Artemis Transat 2008 are now all berthed at Sutton Harbour, Plymouth having arrived over the weekend. The Race Village came alive with the arrival of the fleet and thousands of visitors over the Bank Holiday weekend have already been through the village, taking in the spectacle of these high-tech ocean racers and all the exhibits within the village, as well as enjoying the bars and restaurants in the Barbican.
The Race Village at Sutton Harbour was officially opened at 1000 on Saturday (3.5.08) by Councillor Glenn Jordan, Plymouth City Council Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities and Leisure alongside Nigel Godefroy, Chief Executive, Sutton Harbour Group who shared the duty of cutting the ribbon to declare the race village open. Since then the public have arrived en masse to view the 24-strong race fleet, the Tall Ship 'Earl of Pembroke', the legendary Gipsy Moth IV and the Ocean Racing Exhibition that forms part of the education programme. The entertainments package is extensive with street entertainers plus the inaugural Barbican International Jazz and Blues Festival.
The Race Village is open daily from 1000 through to next Sunday, 11th May. For full information on the Race Village and programme of events, visit the website http://www.theartemistransat.com and click on the 'What's on in Plymouth' button
At the heart of the cultural programme is the inaugural Barbican Jazz & Blues Festival that has been put in place to coincide with the start week at Sutton Harbour, with top-line acts performing at venues throughout the Barbican and Plymouth. For more information and details on the Barbican Jazz & Blues Festival go to http://www.barbicanjazzandbluesfestival.com
"The opening weekend has been a fantastic launch pad for the start week of The Artemis Transat," said Mark Turner, CEO of OC Events, organisers of The Artemis Transat. "To move the race village site to Sutton Harbour has been a great move compared to four years ago and you really feel that this event now sits at the heart of Plymouth. It is great to see all the race fleet here - the skippers and boats are well prepared and ready for the race ahead. Amongst this festival atmosphere it is easy to forget that the skippers will soon be facing the hostilities of the North Atlantic when they leave Plymouth on Sunday, 11th May for the USA."