Bon voyage! Southampton marina to host send-off for sailors on 27,000-mile Ocean Globe Race

2023 marks a shared anniversary for both MDL Marinas and the Whitbread Round the World race, as they’ll both be turning 50.

It’s only fitting, then, that MDL has offered to host the Ocean Globe Race – an homage to the iconic Whitbread – at its Ocean Village Marina in Southampton this year.

And with four editions of the Whitbread race previously leaving from the city, which for years was known as the home of ocean racing, many of the people involved are keen to keep that tradition alive.

Don McIntyre, Founder of the Ocean Globe Race and Owner of McIntyre Events, said: “Starting the 2023 Ocean Globe Race in Southampton and bringing the race home to the UK is a dream come true for me.

“This epic sailing challenge is about inspiring people to adventure. It’s about the human stories.

“We hope the whole of the UK community will support the race and get involved.”

With stopovers in Cape Town, Auckland, and Uruguay’s Punta del Este, the Ocean Globe Race represents a 27,000-mile sprint across the South Ocean and around the three Great Capes.

The 14 teams taking part from around the world will set off from Southampton this September and won’t make their return until April 2024.

But prior to their departure they’ll be able to enjoy the hospitality of MDL’s Race Village, which is to be officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Southampton on Tuesday 29 August along with race crews, staff, and members of the public.

There will also be a black-tie Captains’ Dinner on 1 September, offering sailing and racing enthusiasts the chance to dine with the skippers and crews taking part in the Ocean Globe Race.

The evening will feature a charity auction in aid of the Ocean Youth Trust, Blue Marine Foundation, and The Maiden Factor Foundation.

Tim Mayer, Sales and Marketing Director at MDL Marinas, added: “What better way to celebrate our anniversary than welcoming the Ocean Globe Race to our Ocean Village Marina.

The Whitbread Round the World Race in 1990

“By hosting the start and finish of this retro edition of the historic race, we’re hoping to recreate the jubilant atmosphere of the early races, welcoming crowds of supporters, capturing the imagination of visitors and inspiring the next generation of round the world sailors.

“There’re so many ways to get involved in the festivities and take part in this truly memorable event.

“It really will be a case of the more the merrier, championing the courageous sailors taking part and the sport of sailing itself.”

• Free tickets to the Race Village are available at mdlmarinas.co.uk/ogr23, while tables at the Captains’ Dinner can be booked here.