A WEEKEND festival of free festivities is under way today in Ocean Village to mark the launch of the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race.

The entertainment started yesterday with swing bands, African dancing, acrobats, drummers and fire-eaters with chart band Toploader headlining on the main stage last night.

Today, the festival is in full swing with music, food and drink transforming the marina into an atmospheric arena ready for the big send-off.

The packed schedule includes street dancers and stilt walking with revellers learning circus and pirate ships.

The momentum continues into tomorrow with more music, food and fun taking over Ocean Village in the build-up to the climax of the weekend.

At 1.30pm, the yachts will leave Ocean Village. The race starts from the Royal Yacht Squadron line at 4.30pm. The best viewing points are Lepe and Calshot for the start and Lee-on-the-Solent, Hill Head and Stokes Bay as they leave The Solent.

Making a guest appearance is the 20,000-tonne carrier, HMS Illustrious, which was scheduled to berth at the QE2 Terminal today at about 1.30pm.

The event, the first of its kind in ten years, is expected to land the city an economic windfall of £10m, as up to 100,000 people descend on the city.

Sailing legend Sir Robin, founder and chairman of the Clipper Race, said: “This is great because Southampton is now re-establishing itself as the home of ocean racing. It will create a real buzz and, I hope, herald a renaissance for Southampton’s waterfront.”