Ericsson Racing Team Pavilion comes to Melbourne

by Ericsson Racing / Sail-world on 2 Nov 2005 Ericsson's waterside presence in the Volvo Ocean Race takes the shape of a two-storey, 312 sq m pavilion. The impressive structure packs into eight shipping containers as it journeys across five continents before being assembled in the ten stopover ports.

‘Not all of the Volvo Ocean Race's excitement is out at sea,’ says Behdad Banian, who is in charge of Ericsson's pavilion team. ‘We are going to take our visitors by storm onshore as well.’

The pavilion is opening its doors to customers, the public and the media who can interact and experience the offerings of Ericsson, Sony and Sony Ericsson through a series of presentations.

The lower level provides space for demonstrations, seminars, workshops and receptions while the upper floor, with two meeting rooms, lounge and terrace, is set aside for deeper customer dialogue and space to entertain VIP guests.

Ericsson personnel are on hand to guide guests through the pavilion's different zones, where the atmosphere is created by an inventive use of lights, sounds and imagery.

A striking LED screen lights up the foyer with the latest Ericsson Racing Team information on display. This is where visitors are invited to ‘join the Race’ and get closer to the onboard action before the pavilion experience really sets sail.

Visitors can share the adventure through calm waters and dangerous seas, capture the experience through the eyes of the crew and even endure a bout of seasickness. The 10-meter video wall of the wave tunnel is a graphic depiction of the calm beauty and perilous treachery of the world's waters.

‘Because the screen is so big you really get a sense of movement,’ says Eliot Freed, the driving force behind the pavilion's demonstrations. ‘What we're trying to do is create a sense of respect about what the crew is going through.’

Destination - Finnish* - Start
Vigo (Spain) - - 12-Nov-05
Cape Town (South Africa) - 02-Dec-05 - 02-Jan-06
Melbourne (Australia) - 16-Jan-06 - 12-Feb-06
Wellington (NZ) Pit stop - 16-Feb-06 - 19-Feb-06
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) - 07-Mar-06 - 02-Apr-06
Baltimore/Annapolis (USA) - 17-Apr-06 - 07-May-06
New York (USA) Pit stop - 08-May-06 - 11-May-06
Portsmouth (UK) - 19-May-06 - 02-Jun-06
Rotterdam (NED) - 07-Jun-06 - 17-Jun-06
Gothenburg (Sweden) - 17-Jun-06

*Dates may vary

The Volvo Ocean Race stopover in Melbourne, 16th Jan to 12th Feb 2006, is planned to be the biggest ‘on water’ celebration Victoria has seen and has been designed to cater for recreational boaters and sailors of all abilities, from novices to the more experienced.

For those interested in sailing or boating, there is bound to be a way you can get involved, with more information available on www.melbournestopover.com.au or contact David Staley, (03) 8633 8888

During the Stopover there will be plenty of opportunities for the public to Go Sailing too. Come along to Docklands on any weekend of the Stopover to try sailing in one of the dinghies that will be on the water. Or visit a yacht club either after work or school on Wednesday February 1st or after the Volvo boats leave on Sunday February 26th and club members will welcome you and help you Go Sailing.

The Melbourne Stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race is financially supported by the Victorian Government and is expected to generate $26 million of economic impact for the State of Victoria.

More information on the Volvo Ocean Race 2005 - 2006 can be found at http://www.volvooceanrace.org/index.aspx