In June the 2008 Audi MedCup Circuit is hosted for the first time by Marseille. It is the second time the circuit visits France after staging a regatta in Hyères where the knowledgeable French sailing public offered a warm and a hearty welcome to the event and to the teams.

The famous " Rade de Marseille " has a history of attracting some of the the most prestigious regattas and it offered an outstanding backdrop to the America's Cup Class in 2004 where the first Act of the 32nd America's Cup was run. The beauty of the site and the technical race course puts Marseille up among the best rendez-vous for the greatest sailors. So the Audi MedCup Circuit family is looking forward to mooring up in the Vieux Port for the second event of this season.

With 57 kilometres of waterfront and coast on its doorstep the sailing tradition of the city is a gift from her history. Marseille is the daughter of Greek sailors who arrived from Phocée, in the 6th Century BC to set up trade and benefit from the River Rhône as an artery and make " Massilia " a key place for the business and commerce. The City still is today.

It is the second french city with a population of 800 000 people, Marseille is unique. The cosmopolitan cultures mix a palette of vibrant colours and all the Mediterranean resounds along the Cannebière (the main street of the city).
The " Cité phocéenne " is not for the indiffirent. Marseille is watched over by Notre Dame de la Garde, the white basilica at the top of the hill where the city was originally built. The visit here will never be forgotten by the teams with the regatta centre located right in the central city with all of its cafés, restaurants, shops, bars and nightclubs.

At the feet of the Corniche (sea front), there is the " Rade Sud " where the race course will be set close to the Frioul Islands and the Château d'If.
The Audi MedCup Circuit teams can expect to sail in all conditions from light airs to the full strength Mistral winds that this area is famous for. Usually, the weather conditions at this time could be sea breeze (West-South West) building at the end of the morning to late in the afternoon, or more rarely, a strong Mistral (North-North West).
And while there are high hopes a French team will take up the challenge to race for the home crowd In Marseille, well known sailors as Philippe Presti and Thierry Peponnet of the Audi Sailing Team powered by Q8 are part of this circuit which has entranced the world 's top sailors, and will be trying doubly hard to put in a winning performance for French followers.