The return of the TwoSTAR

Royal Western Yacht Club relaunches its classic race from Plymouth to Newport, RI

The Royal Western Yacht Club is delighted to announce the re-launch of the Two Handed Transatlantic Race. The race will start on Sunday 3 June 2012 from Plymouth and finish in Newport, Rhode Island. The race, historically known as the TWOSTAR, will be open to boats between 27 and 60ft LOA and there will also be a separate class for now popular Class 40s.

The first edition of this race in 1981 saw around 100 boats leave Plymouth for Newport. Held approximately every four years it ran until 1994, it has been won by some well-known yachtsmen including Chay Blyth, Rob James, Laurent Bourgnon and Cam Lewis.

The race will be run in partnership with Newport Yacht Club and the club’s past Commodore, Norm Bailey, said: “All of us at the NYC are thrilled with the return of this race and we look forward seeing old friends in Newport, the sailing capital of the world. We can promise you an experience never to be forgotten”.

It will also be supported by the Rhode Island State Yachting Committee and the city of Newport. Chairman of the RISYC, Robin Wallace, commented: “The Rhode Island State Yachting Committee is delighted to hear of the plans for the Twostar returning to Newport in 2012 and looks forward to supporting the Royal Western Yacht Club of England and the Newport Yacht Club when the competitors arrive”.

The course, which stretches over 2,800 miles of challenging north Atlantic Ocean, has already attracted the attention of some skippers looking for something a little demanding. The Royal Western’s Commodore, Chris Arscott, said: “The Club has a long history of organising events like this and with interest in long distance two-handed sailing on the increase, it seemed like the right time to reinstate what was a popular race over this alluring course. We are delighted to have the support of our friends in Newport and I’m looking forward working together to enable the dreams and aspirations of all those who take part.”