After being short listed by The Transat race organiser, OC Events Ltd as one of two UK cities bidding for the start of The Transat 2008 International yacht race, Plymouth, Devon has succeeded in overcoming the close competition to retain the most historic of ocean yacht races formerly known as the OSTAR.
The Transat international yacht race, which has started from Plymouth ever since the inaugural race in 1960 when Sir Francis Chichester won the event in just over 40 days, has become synonymous with the city of Plymouth. Steeped in maritime history, The Transat, referred to as the toughest of all, is known for its demands on both the skipper and the boat as they race solo, against the prevailing winds from Plymouth West across the North Atlantic to the USA.
Plymouth’s successful bid to host the start of The Transat 2008 has been led by Plymouth based Yachtsman, Conrad Humphreys and backed by the Sutton Harbour Group, the South West Regional Development Agency and Plymouth City Council, all of whom have been instrumental in the success of Plymouth’s bid.
Central to winning the bid was the decision to bring the Transat 2008 race into the heart of Plymouth city at Sutton Harbour, which will be achieved by building a race village around the picturesque Barbican. This will be open to the public free of charge over a ten day period running up to the start of the Race, on 11 May 2008. The spectacular fleet of yachts that will take part in The Transat 2008 will be moored at Sutton Harbour Plymouth, creating a spectacular interactive venue for everyone to enjoy.