Portsmouth
Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, Hampshire, United Kingdom
Race Start Date
Sunday, 3 October 2004
Start Time 14:00 BST (warning signal 13:50 BST)
The yachts will be departing Gunwharf Quays from 10am on Sunday,
3 October 2004. Spectators will be able to watch the race start
off Southsea Castle at 2pm.
Race Finish Date
ETA: Saturday-Sunday, 16-17 July 2005
The race finishes as part of the International Festival of the
Sea celebrations in Portsmouth. In the weeks prior to race finish
the city will host a Naval Fleet Review, marking the 200th anniversary
of the Battle of Trafalgar, and also the International Festival
of the Sea.
Useful Web Sites
Gunwharf
Quays
Portsmouth
Harbour
Portsmouth City Information
Portsmouth is a waterfront city on the south coast of England.
Home to the British Royal Navy for more than 500 years, Portsmouth's
mix of historic ships, castles, forts and museums make it one
of the best centres in which to explore the history of this sea-faring
nation.
In the historic dockyard, Nelson's flagship HMS Victory stands
alongside HMS Warrior 1860, Britain's first iron-clad battleship,
the Royal Naval Museum and the remains of Henry VIII's 16th century
warship, the Mary Rose, which were raised from the sea in 1982.
Charles Dickens was born in Portsmouth and is now celebrated
at the Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum and it was also here
that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created his most famous character,
Sherlock Holmes. The tale of this city is told at the City museum
and the D-Day Museum recalls the invasion of Europe in 1944 when
thousands of Allied troops sailed from Portsmouth.
Southsea, Portsmouth's popular resort has four miles of attractions
and seafront promenade offering stunning views across the Solent,
there are also special events throughout the year. This will provide
the perfect viewing platform to watch the start of the Global
Challenge - very close to the shoreline.
Formerly a Royal Naval dockyard, the Gunwharf Quays development
incorporates new berths, the Spinnaker Tower, shopping, leisure,
restaurants and bars, along with a residential area. The Gunwharf
Quays shopping centre is open Monday to Saturday 10am - 6pm and
Sundays 11am - 5pm. Gunwharf's restaurants, bars, cinema and bowling
centre are also open daily
Southsea Castle
Southsea Castle was built by Henry VIII in 1544 to protect
Portsmouth Harbour and it is also the place from where Henry VIII
is reputed to have watched the sinking of the Mary Rose.
The race starts just off Southsea Castle, so Southsea Seafront
would be a great place to watch the yachts set off. There are
over 4 miles of seafront - and plenty of space to watch the yachts
in front of the Castle. The Castle itself will be closed to the
general public on start day. There will be a VIP function and
the race management team will be based there to fire the starting
guns!
Home »
The World's Toughest Yacht Race »
Route
|
