Plymouth confirmed for The Transat start

Successor to the OSTAR to go ahead in 2016

Plymouth has won the bid to host the start of The Transat in 2016, ensuring that The Transat, the successor to the OSTAR (for the pro end of the fleet) will start from its historic ‘home’ of Plymouth.

The singlehanded race westabout across the North Atlantic will set sail on Sunday, 8 May 2016. OC Sport, rights-holders of The Transat, organised the races in 2004 and 2008.

Hervé Favre, Offshore Sailing Events Director of OC Sport said: “We were delighted to receive several good bids to host the start of the Transat in 2016. The Plymouth City Council bid was extremely strong and we’re very much looking forward to working with Plymouth again. We are especially pleased that not only will Plymouth ensure the infrastructure and support required to host a race of this stature will be in place, but that they are also committed to ensuring this race is an event for the people of Plymouth and its visitors.”

2008 winner and monohull record holder, French sailing legend Loick Peyron commented: “Aptly named ‘The Transat’, I have had the chance to line up five times for this legendary adventure, and won three times. So you can understand why this is my favourite race! I love its course, its history and now its future.”

Councillor Peter Smith, Deputy Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “We’re over the moon that OC Sport has selected Plymouth as the host venue for The Transat in 2016. Businesses in the city have rallied to support our bid and we’re looking forward to staging a spectacular and memorable event in the race’s historic home.

“We’ll be working to create a real regatta feel for the event and enlivening the Hoe, Barbican and Sutton Harbour with music, entertainment and much more for sailing enthusiasts, families and visitors to enjoy.”

The 2,800-mile race across the North Atlantic is renowned for storms and tough upwind conditions, as well as icebergs and freezing fog in the final part. It can take between 8-19 days for all the boats to finish.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop around the world between 1968-1969 commented: “It is very good news to see this race continuing its long tradition as the most challenging of the solo transatlantic races.”

Racing classes invited to take part in The Transat 2016 include Class 40s, Multi 50s, IMOCA 60s and Ultimes multihulls ranging in length from 51-105ft.

The North American city hosting the finish will be confirmed in the coming months.