Extreme Sailing Series - Hunt for 2014-17 venues commences

by Extreme Sailing Series on 14 Mar 2013 OC Sport, organisers of the original stadium sailing circuit, the Extreme Sailing Series, are officially inviting formal bids from cities or regions around the globe interested in hosting an Act as part of this high profile, international annual circuit in 2014 and beyond.

The award-winning and innovative circuit provides Host Venues with a commercially sound and outstanding value-for-money ‘destination marketing’ package, that delivers global media exposure, the opportunity to showcase Host Venues worldwide, as well as the direct and indirect economic benefits that each event brings to the Host cities.

With Singapore, China, UK, and Brazil already committed to 2014 as part of multi-year deals, there are up to four Host Venue slots available in the bid process to make up an eight or nine Act global circuit for 2014 and beyond. Most of the 2013 venues whose contracts end this year, have nonetheless expressed their own desire to see the circuit return. Bids will be evaluated, first and foremost, on the venues ability to deliver a suitable and ideally ‘iconic’ venue that can facilitate the ‘stadium’ racing concept, allowing the Series to maintain the highest level of sporting integrity. Strong support from local government, tourism boards and authorities, the ability to attract tens of thousands of spectators and a solid regional and national marketing and communications plan will also be key criteria for selection.

Francois Vergnol, Commercial Manager for the event at OC Sport commented on what the Series is looking for from its Host Venues. 'The Extreme Sailing Series format, we've learnt, can really go anywhere, deliver top class return and entertain. Downtown Istanbul, Flamengo Beach in Rio, Qingdao in winter-like conditions and just last week Muscat, the first Act of 2013 which started the year in style with the Extreme 40s racing in the heart of The Wave, Muscat. Our ideal Stadium is one with high concrete vertical walls, three metre deep water up to the edge so the boats can sail within a few metres in all conditions, in an iconic premium city, with a cityscape or iconic backdrop, within walking distance of a big population, and of course ideally with some great wind too! It needs to be in a market that sponsors care about, and it needs to be a city that gets engaged with its sports events and helps promote the event. Overall we look to exist each year on three or four continents, so that defines many of our venue decisions.'

The closing date for the tender process is 26th April 2013, by the 2nd May a shortlist of up to 10 potential new venues will be confirmed and final confirmations made by July ahead of announcing publicly the 2014 Extreme Sailing Series™ circuit dates and venues in the Autumn.

For more information, email Extreme Sailing Series website