ISAF Sailing World Championships join Bart's Bash

The ISAF Sailing World Championships join Bart's Bash © Beau Outteridge

The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation is delighted to announce that the Santander 2014 ISAF Sailing World Championships will participate in the fundraising event Bart's Bash, a Guinness World Record attempt for the Largest Sailing Race in the World.

The race will take place prior to the Medal Races on Sunday morning, the final day of the Championships.

Alastair Fox, Head of Competitions from the International Sailing Federation said: "The Santander 2014 ISAF Sailing World Championships features 1,167 sailors from 81 nations competing in 836 boats across the ten Olympic classes. We are pleased to be able to enable them to also participate in Bart's Bash on 21 September ahead of the 49er, 49erFX, Finn and Nacra 17 Medal Races."

Coaches and other team members are also invited to participate in this truly historic event which will join people around the world and inspire the next generation of sailors.

The explosion of enthusiasm for Bart's Bash has seen over 9,000 sailors from over 700 sailing clubs in over 60 countries around the world signing up online and fundraising to support the Foundation's charitable activities.

Olympic gold medallist and Foundation Trustee Iain Percy commented: "It is fantastic news that all these top level athletes will race in what is set to be the largest sailing race in the world, joining thousands of sailors and giving everyone the chance to go up against their heroes and friends, wherever they may be in the world. We have been blown away by the global support we have received and we are grateful to ISAF for their support in Santander."

The aim of Bart's Bash is to remember Andrew 'Bart' Simpson, to inspire a new generation of sailors, to encourage clubs to open their doors and to fundraise for the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation's charitable activities, which aim to help young people to develop the personal skills that will improve their ability to succeed in life.

All the funds raised through Bart's Bash will support the development and delivery of the Foundation's charitable programmes internationally. These programmes have Bart's and the Olympic values at their heart, and are currently being developed and tested at the Andrew Simpson Sailing Centre. Pilot programmes, designed to enhance sailing activities and participation, as well as to reach more young people, are also being tested in Bermuda and South Africa.

The Foundation wishes to thank all those who have shown support to the event so far. Club and individual online registration will close on 19th September. Participants will be able to sign up on the day at registered Bart's Bash clubs that have capacity; however clubs encourage all interested sailors to sign up at bartsbash.co.uk as soon as possible to enable them to plan accordingly. When signing up online, sailors are able to set up their own JustGiving page and are encouraged to start fundraising. To make the suggested donation of £5 to enter people can also text BART76 £5 to 70070.

The full Guinness World Record criteria are explained in this PDF. See where the sailing stars will race on 21st September. See the worldwide map of clubs taking part here.