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RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD

Demand for Race Sees a Late Summer Start

by Rachel Anning 21 May 2003 14:27 BST
Challenge Business today (21st May 2003) announced further details of the Round Britain and Ireland Challenge 2003 in association with The Daily Telegraph. The event is to follow a similar format to the phenomenally successful inaugural event run earlier this year celebrating the 25th anniversary of Sir Chay Blyth’s win of the two-handed Round Britain and Ireland Race, which the executive chairman of Challenge Business won in 1978 with Rob James in Great Britain IV.

“We knew we had a successful event but we had no idea just how successful it would be” commented Simon Walker Managing Director of Challenge Business, “and following numerous requests we have now finalised dates for the next Round Britain and Ireland Challenge.”

The event which starts from the Solent on Saturday 30th August will see a fleet of identical 72 ft yachts race clockwise around Britain and Ireland and due to return approximately 12 days and some 1800 n miles later. Onboard each yacht will be a professional skipper and mate accompanied by 16 crew members made up of men and women from all walks of life and nationalities.

“We’re running the event in August/ September because of the extensive refit programme which our fleet of 72’ classic yachts will be going into during the autumn, prior to the Global Challenge, with events immediately kicking off in 2004. With a healthy reserve list of Crew Volunteers from our first Round Britain Challenge, eager to take part in the race, late summer seemed like the most suitable time to run the event.”

Similar to Challenge Business’ other events potential crew need not necessarily have prior sailing experience. Simon continues: “We train all the participants with two five day training sails during July and August plus a week of race training and preparation prior to departure.”

Once again the event will be run in association with The Daily Telegraph, which will publish an in-paper competition in May to give one reader the chance to win a berth in the race. As a sponsor of the London and Southampton Boat Shows and the RYA Sailboat & Windsurf Show The Daily Telegraph is keen to support the Round Britain and Ireland Challenge too.

Peter Cox who took part in the race aboard Spirit of Hong Kong explained: ”This was not just a race around Britain and Ireland, but a personal challenge. I felt excitement, frustration, fear, exaltation and a huge sense of achievement. This was all within such a short period of time. Most of all though I feel that, whilst it is now at an end, I have been part of an experience that will live with me forever.”

With the announcement of a definite date for the second race Challenge Business will be opening the opportunity for even more Crew Volunteers to experience the thrill of racing around Britain and Ireland. There is now also a Challenge course record to beat as they race around this dramatic and challenging route.

The berth fee is £3,750 and includes a berth in the event, sail and race training, wet weather gear, shore gear, full race insurance and invitation to the farewell party and the prize giving.

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