Pete Goss and Help for Heroes back Plymouth Race Week 2011

Since its launch in September of last year, plans for The Royal Western Yacht Club’s Plymouth Race Week 2011 continue to move forward at an impressive pace. They include the support of local sailing hero Pete Goss and the full backing of the national charity Help for Heroes added to which, Plymouth City Council have pledged their full support as a partner.

The new bi-annual sailing event, which plans to be on the scale of Cowes and Cork week, utilising the City’s unrivalled waterfront and fabulous sailing waters, will be centered round the historic Barbican area of Plymouth. The competing yachts will be berthed in Sutton Harbour, thanks to the support of Sutton Harbour Group, with the tented race village no more then a couple of hundred yards away on the adjoining Commercial Wharf overlooking Queen Anne’s Battery.

In between, and on the way after a hard days racing, are The Barbican’s shops, restaurants and watering holes, which not only provide fabulous apres sail, but also enhance a family friendly atmosphere. With the full support of Plymouth’s newly formed Department of Development & Regeneration, the smooth set up and running of the race village is assured.

Chris Arscott, the RWYC’s Commodore, said: “It’s great to have all the main organisations in Plymouth on board, with their support I am ever growing in confidence that this really is going to be a really top class event. It’s also a privilege to be joining up with Help for Heroes as our nominated charity and partner.”

Help for Heroes is the national tri-service charity which looks to provide for the long term care and support for the wounded. It is particularly fitting that they should be attaching themselves to the Plymouth Race Week 2011 given the city’s relationship with the services.

David Gammell, the Volunteer County Coordinator for the charity for Devon and Cornwall, said: “We are delighted that the RWYC approached Help for Heroes to be their nominated charity at the regatta. We work closely with the major service charities one of which, Toe in the Water, gets the seriously injured out on the water. With both our, and the city’s, close connection with so many military bases in and around the city, its doubly fitting that we have a presence at the regatta.”

David Draffan, Assistant Director for Economic Development, said: “Plymouth City Council is delighted to support the idea of Plymouth Race Week 2011. Plymouth is a city with a unique maritime history and has successfully hosted many international maritime events in recent years which form an important element of our events calendar. The Economic Development Service is looking to work with the Royal Western Yacht Club as part of Plymouth Race Week 2011’s Organising Committee, ensuring the city can deliver added value events that will encourage visitors to come here.”

With these cornerstones in place the foundations for the new Regatta are set, and the Royal Western YC is concentrating its expertise on the all important sailing side of the week’s activities. The race committee, lead by international race officer Mike Pearson, are in no doubt the courses will be second to none with racing both in and outside the breakwater and, some classes have already expressed interest in attending even before being approached.

The overwhelming interest has extended to the West country’s sailing celebrity Pete Goss, who is lending his support. Pete said: "With the imminent arrival of my small, but trustworthy Mounts Bay Lugger, 'Spirit of Mystery', due to return to the West country soon, I can't help but be reminded of all the other extraordinary events that have emanated from these shores.

The maritime history of the South West coast dates back as far as Drake and beyond to the modern day which, was started by Blondie Hasler and Sir Francis Chichester when they instigated the Single Handed Transat Race, the event spawned all modern day short-handed ocean racing. And, the Club they dreamed up their idea in, The Royal Western Yacht Club, has yet again had the initiative to bring another major sailing event to Plymouth.

With their past record for organising prestigious races and regattas, I have no doubt that 'Plymouth Race Week 2011' will offer well run competitive racing. Sailed in some of the best and most accommodating waters that the UK has to offer and complimented by Plymouth's unrivalled waterfront, this has the potential to be exactly as described - The Yachtsman's Regatta."

More updates and news to follow shortly, but anyone wishing to learn more and keep up to date with the latest developments can follow the progress on the newly launched Plymouth Race Week website.