2013 Class40 Worlds to be held in Plymouth

20 boats expected to compete immediately after the Rolex Fastnet Race

The Class 40 World Championship will be hosted by the City of Plymouth this summer, over 17-20 August, immediately after the Rolex Fastnet Race.

Twenty Class 40 teams from nine nations have already pre-registered for the Rolex Fastnet Race and are due to arrive in Plymouth from 15 August. The teams will have a couple of days break before starting a series of inshore and coastal races to decide the 2013 Class 40 World Champion.

The championship is being organised by the Royal Western Yacht Club. The public is invited to come and see the fleet parade in front of Plymouth Hoe on Sunday 18 August before they set off for the start of the coastal race. In the evenings there will be a series of event functions for the visiting teams to enjoy some of the local hospitality.

“We are delighted to be welcomed by Plymouth for this fifth edition of the Class40 Worlds," said François Angoulvant, Class40 President.
"The timing is perfect and we hope we can build a partnership with the RWYC to come back regularly for the Worlds. The Class40 fleet knows the area quite well as it comes here every two years for the Rolex Fastnet Race and was also here in 2008 for The Transat. We expect many Class40 skippers, from all over Europe and the US, to gather on this great event.”

John Lewis, Commodore of the Royal Western Yacht Club added: “The RWYC is delighted to be the host club for this prestigious World Championship particularly as it has formed a close relationship with the class during our last two oceanic events. I extend a warm welcome to all the competitors and wish them every success on the water.”

Gonzale Botin, last year's Class40 World Champion said: “Tales Santander 2014 will be there to defend her title but it will not be easy as the standard goes up each year since the first World Championship in 2009. Our new boat hasn’t been built for windward-leeward races that we can expect during the Worlds, but more for offshore races. This is the case for most third generation boats. Whatever happens, the show is guaranteed!"