Dozens of people celebrated as the countdown to the Ocean Globe Race was officially started.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony in Ocean Village saw the Lord Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Valerie Laurent, doing the honours and opening the race village to the public.
For the next 12 days, leading up to the start of the race, the village will host speakers, pre-race activities, and past race screenings.
The Ocean Global Race, hosted by MDL Marinas, aims to evoke the spirit of the early Whitbread contests and has been running every four years since 1973.
This year’s race will start and finish at Ocean Village.
On September 10, around 160 sailors aboard 14 yachts will sail off from the city and embark on the adventure taking them around the world for the next seven months.
The city had previously been the starting ground during the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1989-90.
On Monday, guests including the leader of Southampton City Council, Satvir Kaur, and MP for Southampton North and Romsey, Caroline Nokes, attended the ceremony and had the chance to speak to crews and event organisers.
Tim Mayer, MDL’s Sales and Marketing Director, said: “Now the Race Village is officially open - let the festivities begin!
“With all the activities planned over the next couple of weeks, we’re hoping to recreate the jubilant atmosphere of the early races, inspiring the next generation of round-the-world sailors.
“It’s free to enter the village and there’s something for everyone from celestial navigation workshops and lifejacket checks to face painting and treasure maps.
“So, if you want to be front and centre of all the action at this truly memorable event, come down to Ocean Village and join in the celebrations.”
Speaking to guests, event organiser Don McIntyre said the race is all about recreating the feel of the original Whitbread, with the excitement and challenge of not relying on technology for the whole journey.
Speaking to the Echo, Mr McIntyre said: “We’re reliving history, it’s really great. Today is all about opening the village and letting people know it’s open and they can come down and meet the team see the boats and get a feel for what it is going to be like for the teams."
He added: "It’s a fun place to be, come and relax.”
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