Following the successful first Act of this year’s Extreme Sailing Series™ 2012 yacht race at The Wave, Muscat in Oman, the OC ThirdPole is delighted to announce the opening of the next round of Host Venue selection process for prospective cities as well as regions that desire to host an event in 2013 and beyond. The award-winning and innovative circuit offers Host Venues with an important value-for-money destination marketing package, together with the direct economic benefits that each event brings to the host cities.
Extreme Sailing Series fleet racing only a few meters from the beach in Nice Credit: Lloyd Images
In 2012, three new host venues of Porto (Portugal), Cardiff (UK), and Brazil (Brazilian venue to be confirmed at separate press announcement) have signed up to the circuit, as the fleet returns to previous host venues of Muscat (Oman), Qingdao (China), Istanbul (Turkey), Trapani (Italy), and Nice (France).
With UK, Brazil, Oman, China and Turkey already committed in 2013 as part of multi-year deals, there are three Host Venue slots available in the bid process for next year. The circuit will retain a core of European venues, but continue its development in to new markets across 4 continents.
The Extreme Sailing Series 2011. Act 2. Qingdao. China. Credit: Lloyd Images
Bids will be evaluated on the same criteria that were applied to select the 2012 venues. These include first and foremost, a suitable and ideally ‘iconic’ venue that can facilitate the ‘stadium’ racing concept, strong support from local government and authorities, the ability to attract tens of thousands of spectators and a solid regional and national marketing and communications plan.
Fleet racing on the final day in front of the packed Race Village in Trapani Credit: Lloyd Images
All host venues enjoy the direct and indirect benefits of having thousands of spectators visiting the event, as Don Luciano Alonso, Minister of Tourism, Trade and Sports for the Andalucia government who invested for three years in the event explains: “The hotels were 90% full, 75,000 spectators watched the event… The results we have witnessed make it clear that we made the right decision when we bought the Extreme Sailing Series™ for Almeria.” An independent report commissioned by the region confirmed a 5 times ROI on their financial investment.
Each Act gives the Host Venue a global media platform to showcase the region and its waterside facilities to the world, as well as promote the sport of sailing within their local community. The Extreme Sailing Series™ strives also to leave a lasting legacy in each location, activating charitable, volunteer and ‘try sailing’ programmes for all ages and experience levels.
Extreme Sailing Series 2011. Act 3.Turkey. Istanbul Credit: Lloyd Images
Prior to the opening Act at The Wave, Muscat, Oman Sail, CEO, David Graham commented: “The value of hosting such events is enormous in terms of inspiring even more Omanis to discover sailing and writing the next chapter of Oman’s maritime history. We expect to bring many new visitors to Oman and many others to see the country through the global media coverage the event will generate.”
Extreme Sailing Series 2012. Act 1. The Wave Muscat. Oman Credit: Lloyd Images
Closing date for the tender process is 18th May 2012, by 1st June a shortlist will be confirmed and final confirmations made by 29th June, ahead of announcing publicly the 2013 Extreme Sailing Series™ circuit dates and venues in September.
