Livestreams of races set to continue this season
DURING the height of the pandemic, Devon and Cornwall’s point-to-point community embraced the launch of livestreaming technology, bringing the action direct to racegoers’ homes.
Over the course of what was a disrupted 2020-21 season, with the vast majority of meetings held behind closed doors, the Devon and Cornwall Point-to-Point Secretaries Association cemented its position as a leading provider of the service.
Fronted by renowned horse racing broadcaster, Cornelius Lysaght, the livestream programmes included coverage of all the races on the card, pre-race and post-race information, interviews and analysis.
Behind the scenes, an accomplished team of camera operators, public address specialists and students from Falmouth University delivered full-length coverage of meetings from Trebudannon in Cornwall to Bratton Down on Exmoor.
With the 2021-22 season set to get underway this weekend at Bishop’s Court near Ottery St Mary, where the East Devon Hunt will host a competitive seven-race card, the Devon and Cornwall Point-to-Point Secretaries Association has confirmed that it will continue to develop its livestreaming service for members of the public wishing to watch the action in the comfort of their own homes, with the region’s first three meetings until the end of the year now fixed and followed by most, if not all, of the remaining fixtures through until June 2022.
Announcing further details of this season’s coverage, Frank Yeo, chairman of the Devon and Cornwall Point-to-Point Secretaries Association, said: “Cornelius Lysaght and Robert Cooper, both nationally known horse racing broadcasters, will lead the presentations and interviews; with betting information from Simon Nott and form and tips from racing correspondent Donna Harris.
“The team includes Westcountry Videos and technical students from Falmouth University’s in-house creative agency Mayn Creative, who supported the initial programme last year, plus Pearce’s public address specialists who are supplying robotic wireless cameras around the course. There will also be a dedicated broadcast van, tailored graphics and video editing software for sale of race recordings on the day.”
A total of 24 meetings look set to take place in the Devon and Cornwall area this season, with 22 in the neighbouring Wessex area. PreChristmas, the East Devon Hunt meeting will be followed by Dunsmore Racing near Exeter on Sunday, November 14, and the Cornwall Club at the Royal Cornwall Showground on Sunday, December 5.