10000+ sailors, 700+ clubs...and rising

This Sunday....Bart's Bash

Bart’s Bash, the Guinness World Record attempt for the Largest Sailing Race in the World, and fundraising event organised by the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, will take place globally with races scheduled to be held between 0.00 and 23.59 GMT this Sunday, 21 September.

The event is set to break the world record for the Largest Sailing Race (24 hours) with 10,000+ sailors from 700+ clubs in 60+ countries already signed up online at bartsbash.co.uk, although the number of participants is likely to raise as registration remains open until the day of the event.

The aim of Bart’s Bash is to remember Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson, to inspire a new generation of sailors, to encourage clubs to open their doors and to fundraise for the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation. All the funds raised through Bart’s Bash will support the development and delivery of the Foundation’s charitable programmes internationally. These programmes have Bart’s and the Olympic values at their heart, and are currently being developed and tested at the Andrew Simpson Sailing Centre. Pilot programmes are also being tested in Bermuda and South Africa.

Events will be happening in selected venues around the world some featuring Bart’s Bash ambassadors, including Sir Ben Ainslie, Iain Percy OBE, Paul Goodison MBE, Jimmy Spithill, Nathan Outteridge, Max Sirena and many Olympians and world sailing stars will race.

UK – 471 clubs

Andrew Simpson Sailing Centre, Weymouth

11:00am - 1st Race - with Iain Percy, Paul Goodison, local clubs and sailors
12:30pm - 2nd race - with local clubs and sailors
14.00pm - Youth Race, specifically aimed at younger sailors and those who have
learnt recently, fully supported by instructors in RIBS
16.00pm - Prize giving

Running throughout the day
Pico Challenge – open to anyone
Kids entertainments
BBQ & Bar

Queen Mary Sailing Club

11:00 Bart's Bash Race with Ben Ainslie
13:00 Mass Photo, prizes giving Club race, Fundraising Medals and Rookie race briefing
14:00 Rookie Race

Clipper Race Yacht Club, Gosport

The annual Red Socks 5 (Colin de Mowbray Memorial Regatta) will be held to coincide with ‘Bart’s Bash’. Nine of the twelve Clipper 70 yachts are taking part in Bart’s Bash, with 114 CRYC members, including former race skippers, crew and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, currently signed up to take part in the event. It will be the biggest use of the fleet since the Clipper 2013-14 Race ended in July.

11:00 Bart’s Bash Race

Battle of the Classes Pursuit Race, PSP Southampton Boatshow, Southampton

13:00 Bart's Bash Race
Competitors will launch from the Southampton Water Activities Centre and will be competing on a course laid just off the boat show marina. Each class will be represented by just two boats so the standard will be as high because each class will be competing to show which class is best.

For more information on events taking place in the UK please click here.

Spain - 14 Clubs

ISAF Sailing World Championships Santander 2014

The ISAF Sailing World Championships Santander 2014 will dedicate the race
Participants.

Barclays 52 Super Series – Zenith Royal Cup Marina, Ibiza

Sailors on this circuit have fond memories of Olympic gold medal winner Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson who was pivotal and popular member of the Team Origin crew, sailing as strategist alongside Iain Percy and skipper Ben Ainslie. The circuit and the regatta will be active and enthusiastic participants in the global event Bart’s Bash which falls on the last day of the Ibiza event. Bart's Bash coincides with the final day of racing at the enith Royal Cup Marina.

The participating teams include:
Quantum Racing (USA)
Azzurra (ITA)
Rán Racing (SWE)
Gladiator (ENG)
Phoenix (BRA)
Provezza (TUR)
SLED (USA)
Gaastra Pro (NL)

Azzurra is particularly vocal in their support of Bart's Bash as Vasco Vascotto, tactician says: "Azzurra will be on the water for Bart's Bash, in memory of a friend to all of us, Andrew Simpson. This will also be the opportunity to contribute to the foundation that bears his name. We will do our part as crew and I invite our fans to 'get aboard' Azzurra.”

Italy – 19 Clubs

Yacht Club Cagliari/ Windsurfing Club Cagliari

The America’s Cup Luna Rossa team will join Bart’s Bash in Cagliari.

Yacht Club Acquafresca

The EFG Moth EuroCup (Act 6) and Italia Cup will join Bart’s Bash at Località Acquafresca, Lago di Garda.

USA – 39 Clubs

Seaplane Lagoon Yacht Club, Alameda, CA

The America’s Cup team Artemis Racing will join Bart’s Bash in Alameda.

Pewaukee Yacht Club, Village of Pewaukee, WI. Two-time America’s Cup winner Oracle Team USA skipper Jimmy Spithill will join Bart’s Bash at the Pewaukee Yacht Club.

Australia – 23 clubs
South Africa – 20 clubs
Netherlands – 9 clubs
Ireland – 8 clubs
Canada – 9 clubs
Sweden – 6 clubs
Argentina – 5 clubs
Germany – 5 clubs
China – 5 clubs
New Zealand – 4 clubs