Sutton Harbour Marina
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Race Village plans unveiled.
Plans for the Race Village at Sutton Harbour, Plymouth for The Artemis Transat, have been unveiled with one month to go to the start of this classic solo race across the North Atlantic.
The Race Village plans show Plymouth’s waterfront being brought to life from Saturday May 3rd to the race start day on Sunday, 11th as the area is transformed into a bustling festival centrepiece.
The Race Village will be at the heart of the action and the perfect place to explore the world of sailing. The entire race fleet of IMOCA 60 and Class 40 boats will be berthed inside Sutton Harbour and is a unique opportunity for the public to get a close up view of the state-of-the-art racing boats. In addition, visitors will also be able to admire an authentic Tall Ship, the TS Earl of Pembroke, which will be moored alongside Gypsy Moth IV – the yacht in which Sir Francis Chichester made his famous circumnavigation, and successor to the yacht in which he won the first edition of the race. Other attractions include the Club Mumm/VIP Hospitality Centre, the Ocean Racing Exhibition as part of the education programme [see more below], the Royal Navy Display, the BT Race Hub, Aviva Sailing Simulator, the Ecover exhibit and street entertainers.
Nigel Godefroy, Chief Executive of the Sutton Harbour Group said: “The Race Village looks set to be an outstanding addition to this world famous event. With the stunning backdrop of the racing boats moored in Sutton Harbour, the Barbican area offers the perfect location for the village and provides a fantastic natural stage to work from.”
A comprehensive education programme will also play a major role in the week preceding the start of The Artemis Transat. A series of events will seek to educate and inspire young people about the history of sailing and the maritime heritage of the city. The Ocean Racing Exhibition is designed to give an insight into life on an ocean racing yacht including the technology of the boat, the challenges facing the skipper, and the ways in which the boat’s sustainable use of energy can be more broadly applied in society. The exhibition is supported by the University of Plymouth, and fits into a schools programme featuring the National Marine Aquarium. Students will be able to visit the National Marine Aquarium free of charge where a special exhibition is being laid on for the race focussing on sustainability and the environment. The University, through its Widening Participation Programme, hopes to encourage interest in careers at sea.
More than 200 schools have been invited to take part in the educational elements and interest in attending is strong - students will be accompanied by University of Plymouth ambassadors during their visit to help and inform. The educational tours are available to schools and students between the 6-9 May. More information can be found at www.plymouth.ac.uk/science
Students will also be encouraged to ‘adopt a boat’ to follow across the North Atlantic. Charting the progress of their chosen boat through meteorological charts and communication tracking via satellite systems that will bring the race to life.
A major part of the entertainment package is the inaugural Barbican International Jazz and Blues Festival. The festival will feature prominently creating an enjoyable and social atmosphere throughout the week leading up to the start of The Artemis Transat on 11th May. The festival will feature national and international acts, as well as the best of the local musicians from the South West of England. More information at www.barbicanjazzandbluesfestival.com
The Race Village will become a unique centre piece to Plymouth’s waterfront. The first stages of construction will begin during week leading up to 3rd May, allowing plenty of time to develop the village in time for the official opening on Saturday May 3, 2008 at 1000am. The Race Village will then be open daily from 1000am to 1800pm until the 11th May and is free of charge to visitors to view the exhibits.
The Race Village will also play host to a corporate hospitality suite, a dedicated media centre and a fully catered VIP area for entertaining key sponsors, skippers and corporate guests.
Conrad Humphreys, Managing Director of Event South West and previous competitor said: "We have put together a really fun public race village with sport, environment, music and culture at its heart. We have created something that we can all be really proud of and which can act as a perfect launch pad for attracting other major events to the city in the future.
"With four weeks to go until the race start, the message to Plymouth and the surrounding towns is come and enjoy the Artemis Transat at Sutton Harbour, Plymouth".
The Artemis Transat www.theartemistransat.com
Education programme www.plymouth.ac.uk/science
Barbican Jazz and Blues Festival www.barbicanjazzandbluesfestival.com