OSTAR & TWOSTAR 60th Anniversary Race Postponed to June 2022
by Adrian Gray 29 Mar 2021 08:15 BST
Andrea Mura on Vento di Sardegna, first to finish OSTAR 2017 in Newport, RI © Billy Black
Following an update on COVID-19 compliance and revised restrictions from the Newport Yacht Club, the Royal Western Yacht Club have made the very reluctant decision to postpone the OSTAR & TWOSTAR races once again.
Rear Commodore Oceanic and Race Director, Adrian Gray, said, "CV-19 rules for entering both the UK and USA have led to a last-minute reduction of entries due to them being unable to comply with these measures. This in turn as made the running of OSTAR and TWOSTAR physically and financially unviable for 2021. Therefore, we have no alternative but to postpone the running of the 60th anniversary race again, now to a new date of May 15th, 2022."
He continued, "COVID is still a threat to us all and we must remain cognisant of all this means. However, the vaccine is being rolled out now and so we see this as a very positive thing from the summer onwards. Unfortunately, Atlantic weather systems prevent us from looking at a start later this year, but we are sure that the OSTAR will return with a much bigger fleet and a world in a much healthier position in May, 2022"
The 60th Anniversary Race Entry List will officially re-open on May 9th. However, expression of interest can be sent now to
We are very pleased to confirm that the OSTAR2022 will remain as a recognised mile builder and qualifier for the Global Solo Challenge. More news will be released on this partnership over the coming days.
The RWYC Round Britain & Ireland Race Entry Opens on Friday 2nd April
With its new format and course recently announced, the RB&I entry list is to open on Good Friday.
Commodore of the Royal Western Yacht Club, Chris Arscott, said, "The new format now allows for either double-Handed or 4-handed crews. As the RWYC was the first club to introduce shorthanded offshore racing in the world, it is in our DNA to continue to develop and support this discipline. We are introducing a 4-handed class to offer a step change from fully crewed to perhaps tempt others to join the ever-growing double handed and solo racing world. Partial crew changes are also allowed in each stopover, allowing for more crews to enjoy this amazing race, if not in its entirety but to be part of a Round Britain and Ireland team."
The course has also been revised to 3 stop overs which will offer a more balanced, accessible race both to the sailors and supporters alike. From starting in Plymouth, the venues have been announced as Galway, Lerwick and Blyth. The compulsory stopovers will remain at a minimum of 48 hours allowing crews to rest, repair, replace (whether that be kit or crew), refuel and finally return in top shape to take on their next leg. Lastly, the race will do away with IRC certified handicaps and will instead revert to class splits on Length overall.
Race Director, Adrian Gray said, "Besides crew work, navigation is key to success in these races, so we are moving away from the IRC mentality and returning to our original format of classes based on Length over all as well as multihull and of course Monohull. It is a format that we feel will attract real interest. We are also balancing the course to make the race more accessible, more comfortable and less of a time draw to the teams generally. We have also received some interest from the 2 handed Olympic offshore hopefuls to join us. After all, this is a race of 4 stages, all of similar leg lengths to that which will be on offer in FRANCE2024."
The race starts on 29th May 2022. Spaces are limited so do not hesitate in getting in touch with the RWYC team and express your interest to enter on