Regattas as public attractions

The five event Audi MedCup Circuit is in Marseille, France this week, with circuit organizers making a concerted effort to draw public interest to the event. Besides the quality video production, the race village has many features to draw in the walking crowd.

The free access Public Village allows visitors to really experience the heart of the regatta atmosphere at a location which is in the middle of Marseille’s historic Vieux Port, ride by the Town Hall. There they can enjoy a complete leisure program which included interactive contests with the sailors, live broadcasting, thanks to the 3D Virtual Eye system, simulated skipper contests, concerts.



The Open Pontoon Day will allow the visitors to walk down the pontoons and have a close look at the boats. The same day the Public Village will open, a free access, day-long non-stop open visitor arena, which this season will be set out in several zones: LiveZone, Chill Out Zone, Sail&Play, Fun Zone and Partners’ Corner.

The LiveZone is a free access zone where visitors will be able to enjoy a stage with a big screen where the best images of the event will be shown. It will also hold concerts, contests, interviews, and a giant screen broadcasting live the action straight from the water.



In front of the stage, the Chill Out Zone offers comfortable sofas and atomised water cooling, for the visitor to chill out while enjoying the show.

Designed for the little ones, the Sail&Play area includes a pool with remote controlled boats, pedal boats for children, an inflatable TP52 for them to jump on, and a climbing wall built on a five meters high buoy for the not so little.

The Fun Zone offers two PlayStation virtual driving games, a pedestal grinder simulator, a workshop which teaches sailing by using games, and interactive screens to learn all about the Audi MedCup Circuit.

Daily activities include a morning dock out show with interviews and information for visitors and the public live just as the teams head out for racing.

Every day there is radio controlled model boat racing for those who want to get a flavour of the cut and thrust of racing without even getting wet. And there will be a dance marathon display by local groups.

Last, but not least, the Partners’ Corner is available for sponsors and other institutions involved in the regatta, in this area they will be able to promote their products.