Southampton Ocean Village details announced
MDL Marinas and the Ocean Globe Race revealed plans for Ocean Village Marina, at a press conference in Southampton. Celebrating their own 50th anniversary, MDL Marinas previously hosted the 1989, 1993, 1997 and 2001 Whitbread races. Now it’s the 50th Anniversary recreation of the first 1973 Whitbread.
We are looking forward to welcoming the Southampton community to Ocean Village to be part of the OGR. It’s exciting and an absolute privilege to be part of the team bringing this race back home to the city of Southampton, the home of ocean racing.
TIM MAYER, SALES AND MARKETING DIRECTOR AT MDL MARINAS
The OGR is a race in keeping with the spirit of the original Whitbread races, where ‘ordinary’ sailors compete with sextants and paper charts, but without phenomenal budgets, foils and computers. A return to non-GPS days of real people, sailing beautiful yachts on real adventures around Cape Horn with a real chance to witness what courage and human spirit can achieve.
It’s 30 years since anyone has seen anything like this event where amateur sailors are sailing their classic yachts all the way around the world. I know the sailors competing are happy to be starting this epic adventure from the UK, the birthplace of the 1973 Whitbread.
DON MCINTYRE OGR FOUNDER AND RACE DIRECTOR
OGR entrants from 8 countries start arriving at Ocean Village from 26th August. The Race Village opens on August 29th. Daily Live WebTV sessions, opportunities to meet teams, Astro Navigation demonstrations and the chance to mingle with Whitbread Veterans are just some of the Ocean Village events. A black tie MDL Captains’ Dinner and Charity Auction with all proceeds split between the charities Blue Marine Foundation, Ocean Youth Trust South andThe Maiden Factor Foundation is also planned.
In the marina, experience the buzz as 14 iconic yachts, including seven previous Whitbread entrants, complete preparations before setting out around the world. There will be plenty of pressure and last minute rush, as final briefings and comprehensive safety inspections take place before yachts are signed off to start.
