by Penny Hopkins
With the Global Ocean Race 2014-15 starting and finishing in the Solent - the traditional home of round-the-world racing - the natural Head Quarters for the Race Organisation is Haslar Marina in Gosport, Portsmouth. The GOR’s offices are within metres of Haslar’s sheltered, 600-berth marina which will also form the base for the event’s corporate and sponsor sailing on Class40s throughout 2013 until the start of the race on September 21st 2014.
Already a base for inshore and offshore racing teams, Haslar Marina’s location close to the mouth of Portsmouth Harbour permits quick access to the Solent for the GOR’s teams to train and boat test in the run-up to the start of the 30,000-mile circumnavigation in 2014. “Haslar Marina is at the hub of South Coast sailing and the marine services in the area are world class,” says Josh Hall, Race Director of the GOR. “I’m certain that many of our European entries will choose Gosport and Haslar Marina as a base prior to the start in September next year and our international teams will find the practical and social attractions of the location and the proximity of the GOR’s start in Southampton a strong incentive to base here,” he adds.
“The management and staff at Haslar Marina have immense experience in dealing with racing yachts and have a deep understanding of the needs and requirements of the skippers and crews,” says Hall. “It’s a great pleasure to welcome Richard Reddyhoff, Ben Lippiett and their team at Haslar Marina as Race Partners in the GOR.”
“We are delighted to welcome Global Ocean Race to Haslar Marina,” says Ben Lippiett, Marina Manager. “This confirms our belief that we are attracting top quality tenants not only to our marina, but to Gosport as a whole. Gosport is increasingly being viewed as the home of ocean racing, with a choice of quality deep water marinas, easy access to the Solent and convenient transport links to London,” Lippiett continues. “Together with Alex Thomson Racing on site and Brian Thompson running a short-handed sailing academy out of Haslar, we are quickly becoming recognised as the location of choice for serious ocean racing.”
Global Ocean Race
