- Plymouth wins bid to host the start of the Transat 2008
- Posted: 17 August 2007
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After being short listed by The Transat race organiser, OC Events Ltd as one of two UK cities bidding for the start of The Transat 2008, Plymouth has succeeded in defeating the close competition to retain this most historic of ocean yacht races formerly known as the OSTAR.
The Transat, which has started from Plymouth ever since the inaugural race in 1960 when Sir Francis Chichester won the event in just over 40 days, has become synonymous with the city. Steeped in maritime history, The Transat, referred to as the toughest of them all, is known for its demands on both skipper and boat as they race solo, against the prevailing winds across the North Atlantic to America.
John McKenna, Commercial Director of OC Events comments: "OC Events took on running this classic race in 2004 without full title sponsorship and no real support structure in place. It is great to be in this position now that will see The Transat 2008 event supported by Plymouth and her partners ensuring this race will grow in stature."
Plymouth's successful bid to host the start of The Transat 2008 has been led by Plymouth based Ocean Yachtsman, Conrad Humphreys and backed by the Sutton Harbour Group, the South West Regional Development Agency and Plymouth City Council, all of whom have been key to the success of Plymouth's bid.
Central to winning the bid was the decision to bring the race into the heart of the city at Sutton Harbour, which will be achieved by building a race village around the Barbican. This will be open to the public free of charge over a 10 day period running up to the start of the Race, on 11 May 2008. The spectacular fleet of yachts that will participate in The Transat 2008 will be moored at Sutton Harbour, creating a spectacular interactive venue for everyone to enjoy.
Nigel Godefroy, Managing Director of the Sutton Harbour Group comments: "Winning The Transat 2008 is a spectacular coup for the city and will be a great curtain-raiser for next year's Plymouth Summer Festival that we also support. By hosting the race village at Sutton Harbour we'll be bringing this exciting event to the historic heart of the city and will be able to showcase some of the best that Plymouth has to offer.
"The fact that Plymouth City Council, the Sutton Harbour Group, the Regional Development Agency, Conrad Humphreys and OC Events have been able to work together to deliver this world-class event for Plymouth is a great demonstration of what can be achieved through true partnership."
The commercial benefits to Plymouth and the South West associated with the race build up and start of the Transat 2008 are countless. In 2004, 468 accredited journalists from 32 countries covered the race start from Plymouth. The race attracted 37 international entries with an economic impact estimated to be £1m to the City. In 2008, the race is expected to generate £1.5m for the regional economy, with over 500 accredited journalists and 30-40 of the world's very best ocean sailors traveling to the city.
Conrad Humphreys, Ocean Yachtsman and Managing Director of Event South West comments: "I'd like to thank everyone involved in supporting the bid to retain arguably the most important Transatlantic Race in history. It's crucial to the international profile of the City and the region that we secure sporting events of this
stature. In particular, I'd like to thank Nigel Godefroy and Sutton Harbour for backing a vision to bring the event into the heart of the City. The next nine months will be critical if we are to build an event that leaves a lasting sporting and cultural impact for the City and the region and I hope the private sector will now take the opportunity to become involved in this remarkable sailing competition."
Councillor Glenn Jordan, Plymouth City Council's Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities and Leisure, continues: "We are delighted to be working with OC Events and our other partners in bringing this prestigious event back to its historic and spiritual home. Hosting the launch of Transat 2008 provides a real opportunity for Plymouth to cement its position as a fantastic venue for maritime and sporting events, as well as a prime destination centre for visitors."
Richard Thomas, Director of Marketing at the South West RDA commented: "We are delighted that the Transat is coming to Plymouth once again. As well as the direct economic benefits associated with the event, it provides us with a marvellous opportunity to showcase Plymouth and the surrounding areas to the rest of the world. This announcement is particularly timely as we build up to the South West hosting the 2012 Olympic sailing events. As a result, we are determined that the Transat will have a lasting legacy; one that enhances the South West's reputation as a first class visitor destination and as a world class venue for sailing."
The title partner to The Transat 2008 will be announced in the coming weeks along with the publication of the Notice of Race confirming the classes and the US finish port.
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Notes to Editors:
OC Events is the OC Group division managing and marketing professional sailing events including The Transat - the world's oldest solo transatlantic race from UK-USA previously known as the OSTAR; and the new two-handed, non-stop Barcelona World Race starting 11 November 2007.
OC Events provides the expertise required for professional sailing specialising in race management that meets the demands of the competitors, sponsors and the media.
For further information on OC Events, please e-mail info@ocgroup.com.
OC Group, Cowes Waterfront - Venture Quays, Castle Street, East Cowes, PO32 6EZ, Isle of Wight, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 870 063 0210
Fax: +44 (0) 207 681 2759
Sutton Harbour Holdings Plc is a regeneration and transport group headquartered in
Plymouth and listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock exchange. The group owns and operates both Plymouth City Airport and low fares regional airline Air Southwest. For more information, see www.sutton-harbour.co.uk.
The South West Regional Development Agency leads the development of a sustainable economy, investing to unlock the region's business potential. It works in partnership with public and private sector organisations and takes a long term view. It aims to drive up the region's productivity by giving people the skills they need, encouraging enterprise, improving infrastructure, regenerating places and promoting the strengths of the region.
Plymouth City Council and its partners share a vision to make Plymouth one of Europe's finest, most vibrant waterfront cities and to stimulate and promote a wide range of high quality recreational and leisure activities. The city regularly hosts a number of high-profile events including the British Fireworks Championships and the British Powerboat Grand Prix, and this year launched a three-month summer festival of maritime, music, art and street events. As one of the major sailing centres in the UK, Plymouth attracts leading yachtsmen and women from around the world and has hosted the start and finish of many major sailing events including the Fastnet, Tall Ships and Clipper Races as well as the Transat.
Event South West is a new regionally based event management company owned by Conrad Humphreys. It was created in 2007 to lead and manage the successful bid for the historical single-handed transatlantic race, The Transat on behalf of the City of Plymouth. Event South West will continue to play a major part in creating and bringing international sporting events to the region believing that sport can create opportunity and profile for the South West.
Article picture courtesy of Liam Ayres.
Contact:
Teresa Page
Tel: +44 (0) 1752 600111
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