Southampton is gearing up for the Ocean Globe Race as racers and supporters gather in Ocean Village ahead of race day next week.

On Sunday September 10, over 200 sailors will depart Ocean Village Marina onboard 14 yachts to complete the four-leg, 27,000 mile race around the world.

Tim Mayer, director of MDL, said: "This is one of the hardest challenges someone can ever attempt. The sailors are crazy brave and we love them for it.

"One of the incredible nuances of this race is that it is being done in the spirit of 1973. That means all these boats will have no satellite or technologies - This is about bringing adventure home.

"For MDL we really wanted to bring this race back to Southampton - it is a fantastic maritime city.

"The sailors are going to have to use astronavigation and the position of the sun to determine their location. This is not normal sailing, this is extreme sailing."

READ MORE: Ocean Globe Race countdown begins

MDL is the largest marina operator in the UK, operating 18 marinas and has been working in Southampton for 30 years.

Representing America in the race is Taylor Grieger, 31, and his Skeleton Crew Racing team from Texas, which is comprised of military veterans raising awareness about veterans' causes.

He said: "We have been working incredibly hard to get our boat built and ready. It is still a work in progress - and it will still be a work in progress when we cross the start line.

"The biggest challenges we are going to face is managing our rig and making sure nothing breaks.

"For our team - it is more about getting everyone across the line safely.

"I would love to say a huge thank you to all of our sponsors and all of our supporters back home."

READ MORE: Ocean Globe Race to start and finish at Ocean Village

Councillor Daniel Fitzhenry, the leader of the opposition for Southampton City Council, went to the welcome event to support the racers. 

He said: "It is great to be here today in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Whitbread Round the World Race.

"We are here to celebrate our history, our future and Southampton's brilliant Maritime sector.

"MDL have done a fantastic job of bringing this event back to Southampton - and we want to regain our reputation as being the number one waterfront city in the UK."