Open 60 round Europe race announced

Organiser of the Figaro's Cap Istanbul race wins contract to stage IMOCA European Pro Tour

IMOCA, the Open 60 class association have announced details of their proposed race around Europe, that is to take place biennially in alternating years between the Vendee Globe and Barcelona World Race.

Putting organisation of the race out to tender the class association have chosen Olay Nautic to run the 'European Pro Tour'. The first event will take place in 2009 and will run in four legs, starting from Istanbul on 19 August and visiting Nice, Barcelona before concluding on 26 September at a port yet to be decided.

Run by Cumali Varer, Olay Nautic runs the Marseille-Istanbul race on behalf of the Figaro class and have won the contract with IMOCA to stage the first two events - next year and in 2011. Varer, who divides his time between the south of France and Turkey, commented: "This race around Europe with the best sailors in the world is an important vehicle for promotion for the whole of Europe . This will also provide an opportunity for each of the city stopovers to raise awareness of their maritime tradition."

The first leg will take the boats from around Greece and Italy to Nice on the Cote d'Azur. From here they will leave Corsica to starboard, before heading west towards Barcelona. The third stage will be 1830 miles around the coast of Spain and Portugal, across the Bay of Biscay and up the English Channel to Cowes. The destination of the fourth and final leg has yet to be decided but will probably be in northern France or Germany.

As it was for the famous Tour de l'Europe Open UAP (Round Europe Race) in the 1980s, the course will be demanding, both for the crews and for their boats. Says Varer: "It is clear that the pace will be high and racing exciting with 50% of the course in the Mediterranean, with its sometimes difficult weather conditions." Varer fails to mention that past editions of his Figaro event have resulted in teams being forced to motor due to a lack of wind.

As is the case with the Cap Istanbul, a boat media follow the boats for the entire race in order to deliver as much information as possible relevant to the media: "This way we can better share the adventure of the sailors. By following their progress on board a high speed media boat, we will be able to distribute current images and even live TV. commented Varer.

Total distance: 4000 milles

Schedule:
19 August: Bosphorus Trophy
23 Trophy: Leg one - Istanbul-Nice (1400 nm)
2 September: Leg two - Nice-Barcelona (540 nm)
7 September: Leg three - Barcelona - Cowes (1830 nm)
19 September: Leg four: Cowes - finish