Preparations are well under way for a major sailing grand prix predicted to bring an 拢18million boost to Plymouth this summer with details now released about how people can watch the event safely.
Organisers of the global SailGP tour are confident in staging 鈥渙ne of the world鈥檚 most impressive sailing events鈥 in Britain鈥檚 Ocean City on July 17 and 18.
Plymouth will host the third event of SailGP Season 2 as part of the global league鈥檚 schedule for 2021. Following the season opener in Bermuda, on April 24 and 25, and then Taranto, Italy, in June, the sport鈥檚 pinnacle league will return to 海角视频 shores promising 鈥渉igh speed, high tech and high drama鈥.
It has been estimated that SailGP, being billed as part of Plymouth鈥檚 postponed Mayflower 400 commemoration, to the city鈥檚 economy.
Previous events in the USA were witnessed by 24,000 spectators and delivered US$24million in economic impact while reaching a total global audience of 231million people.
Famed for its rich maritime history, and being the 海角视频鈥檚 first National Marine Park, Plymouth was seen as 鈥渁n obvious choice鈥 to host the global championship.
The racing will be between eight competing nations and feature the sport鈥檚 best athletes, including Sir Ben Ainslie鈥檚 Great Britain team, will take place within the natural amphitheatre of Plymouth Sound and is being run in partnership with Plymouth City Council, while the waterfront-based businesses Associated British Ports, English Cities Fund and Sutton Harbour Group will support the event.
Organisers said Plymouth Hoe provides a spectacular viewpoint for spectators to immerse themselves in 鈥渢he adrenalin-filled action鈥 as foiling catamarans, capable of speeds exceeding 50 knots (nearly 60mph), race around Plymouth Sound.
In addition, ticketed free access to the SailGP Spectator Area, on the Hoe, includes live race commentary, big screens, the official merchandise shop, entertainment, immersive experiences, refreshments, stage and podium with athlete appearances.
There is also a 鈥減remium spectator experience鈥 a little closer to the action on Hoe Road, for which tickets must be paid for, with refreshments, and on-water spectator experiences. An event page with ticketing details will go live in May.
Official spectator boats will offer the closest vantage point to the racing and allow fans an unrivalled view of the world-class athletes and supercharged F50 catamarans as they compete at electrifying speeds across Plymouth Sound.
For those with their own boats, there will be a 鈥渂ring your own boat鈥 option to help them obtain the best vantage point on-water to watch the racing.
For those who want to watch the racing from home, it will be televised via Sky Sports and YouTube. People can download a free, award winning SailGP App for 鈥渢he ultimate viewing experiences鈥.
Season opener - the Bermuda Sail Grand Prix presented by Hamilton Princess 鈥 is on April 24 and 25 and can be watched by visiting SailGP.com/Watch.
A gigantic warehouse on Plymouth鈥檚 waterfront at Millbay鈥檚 Tinity Pier, to make space for Sail GP to crane boats into the water.
Meanwhile, budding young sailors can apply for the SailGP Inspire programme 鈥 deadline June 18 鈥 for such as an intro-to-sailing session on the water or an on-land, hands-on learning experience through the innovative STEM (science, technology, engineering, math)-based elements.
SailGP Inspire Learning aims to help young people engage with the science of sailing in a dynamic, inspirational and engaging way.
And Inspire Careers offers students and young professionals a work-experience opportunity within SailGP - a multifaceted global sports property where sailors account for only 10% of the organisation.
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During the careers program young professionals, between 18 and 23 years old, are introduced to a variety of roles within SailGP. The programme has a 50% female and 50% racially diverse requirement to help build a more inclusive talent pool for SailGP and the wider marine and sports industries.
In addition, Inspire Racing offers opportunities for young people to go behind the scenes, meet the athletes and take part in a racing programme on the same course that the F50s race on, directly in front of the crowds.
SailGP chief executive Sir Russell Coutts, five-time America鈥檚 Cup winner and Olympic gold medallist, said: 鈥淎fter what has been a challenging year for the world and sport, Bermuda will be the perfect venue to relaunch SailGP.
鈥淥ur events are where our championship really comes to life so we are all eager to see such an incredible calibre of athletes racing in equal boats.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 remember a time in our sport when the starting roster included so many of the world鈥檚 best sailors and through our Inspire and Race For The Future programmes we will be also able to engage with the youth of Bermuda and amplify our purpose, which is to take action against climate change by accelerating the transition to clean energy.鈥
