GSI EVENT STUDY / HEMPEL SAILING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS AARHUS 2018
Social
Education and Participation Education and participation was a key focus of the championships and the Maritime Festival. A number of partners planned and delivered activities for all ages to educate people about the ocean, its wildlife, how to protect it and what people can do to help in terms of environmental and sustainability initiatives. The Aarhus Yachting Harbour is home to a number of local maritime sports and recreation clubs and organisations. Diving, kayaking, rowing, yachting and motor boating is all well-represented as well as angling associations. All clubs and organisations were invited to participate in the festivities. More than 100 organisations and clubs collaborated with city officials in order to produce the largest on-land event ever seen at a Sailing World Championships. The Festival was a celebration of maritime sport which aimed to encourage people to participate and learn more about the different sports available to them. The festival highlighted that there was something for everyone, irrespective of age, gender, race or religion and was supported by a communications plan and innovative app design. EDUCATION Throughout Aarhus and held in conjunction with participation initiatives, a number of educational experiences were available to spectators during the championships. Local clubs and volunteers gave up their time to bring sailing closer to the spectators by allowing them to board different boats, explain how they work and provide challenges such as knot-tying and compass use. Tall ships were moored in the Aarhus harbour basin and were open to spectators to board and explore the ships whilst learning about their history. Similarly, historical facts about the harbour area and the city were strategically positioned throughout the festival areas to tell the story of the city. A dedicated live commentary team, positioned within the spectator grandstand, provided detailed insights for fans so that they could better appreciate and understand what was happening on the water. Using their own sailing experiences, the commentary team could tell the stories unfolding on the water, including tactics being used, key battles to look out for and the way in which weather conditions impact upon decision making. The whole championships had a specific focus on the sustainability of the city and of the sport. The specific initiatives of this focus can be found within the sustainability chapter of this study.
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