Portsmouth In-Port

The latest on the scheduled goings on this Bank Holiday Monday for the Volvo 70s

Bank Holiday Monday, 29th May sees the yachts competing in the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06 head out from Gunwharf Quays to do battle off Southsea Seafront.

The Portsmouth event takes place in the Solent between Southsea and Bembridge on the Isle of Wight and should attract thousands of spectators to watch the yachts go head to head in an exciting and competitive battle.

The Volvo Open 70s will leave their berths at Gunwharf Quays at 1030 on Monday 29th to their team songs and head out to the start line for a 1300 start. On board, some of the 10 man crews will be joined by celebrities.

Among the 'faces' will be Pirates of the Caribbean actor Mackenzie Crook who will be racing on the boat of the same name. Olympic rowing gold medallists James Cracknell and Sir Matthew Pinsent are also signed up to take part, as is round the world yachtswoman Dee Caffari, who has just returned from her record breaking voyage. Also sailing on board Pirates of the Caribbean will be the yacht’s godmother, Lady Gabriella Windsor, daughter of HRH Prince Michael of Kent.

Live commentary on the race will be available on Express FM 93.7FM and at Gunwharf Quays the Jumbotron big screen will be showing live coverage of the race with regular commentary updates. You can also listen to the race commentary live at http://www.volvooceanrace.org

During the day there will be live musical entertainment both on the Gunwharf Quays stage and also from 1930 at the Southsea Seafront bandstand.

The yachts are due to return from the In-Port race to Gunwharf Quays at about 1700 and the crews from the first three yachts will be escorted from the berths through the Volvo Ocean Race Village to the stage for the prize giving at around 1800.

For events during the Volvo Ocean Race Portsmouth stopover, go to http://www.gunwharf-quays.com/volvoukstopover