Events
Punching above
its weight In a picturesque and quiet corner of south west England there is a yacht club whose part in the development of the sport of top level ocean racing over the last 60 years deservedly earned it worldwide prominence
The role that the Royal Western Yacht Club has played in the development of shorthanded offshore sailing speaks for itself. From founding the Observer Singlehanded Transatlantic Race (OSTAR) in 1960 to the double- handed Round Britain and Ireland Race that kicked off six years later and then the TwoStar transtlantic, three key events that not only shaped the racing world but provided the catalyst for a wide and far-reaching range of events elsewhere. Yet at times, success has brought its own challenges for this West Country club. ‘The OSTAR simply got too big for the club,’ says Rear Commodore Oceanic, Adrian Gray. ‘We might have 700 members, but aside from a handful of full and part-time employees we’re run by enthusiastic and experienced volunteers. And while we have all loved seeing successful events draw in the professionals and their impressive machines, we also know that the club is and has always been about providing offshore challenges for grassroots sailors.’
This down to earth approach coupled with the club’s innovative spirit has created a fascinating programme for the future. The 2022 season will see the 60th anniversary and next edition of the OSTAR get underway on 15 May followed closely by the Round Britain and Ireland Race
74 SEAHORSE
starting on 29 May. Both are well- known events that continue to evolve. ‘When the club sold the event rights to Mark Turner’s Offshore Challenges it kept the OSTAR name and when it comes to the competitors the event has in many ways gone full circle,’ he continues. ‘The fleet for next year’s race will range in size from 28ft to 60ft and will be sailed by amateurs looking to achieve something special. Their boats are mainly cruisers or cruiser-racers so we look forward to the true spirit of the race being back with us.’ The double handed Round Britain and Ireland Race is not simply famous but has become legendary for the challenges that the course places on the crew. But times change and while the event continues to live on in the minds of those that have completed it, such notoriety doesn’t ensure future success. Here the club has worked hard to make sure that the race fits with modern life. ‘We have spent a great deal of time listening to competitors and have made some key changes for next year’s event. For starters, to trim down the time it takes to compete there will be three stopovers rather than four. The first will be Galway which replaces Kinsale. This will present some interesting tactical challenges when it comes to deciding which side of the Aran Islands to go
Above: the OSTAR in its commercial heyday attracted professional racers with big budgets and cutting- edge boats like Philip Steggall’s hydrofoil tri Sebago which finished fourth in 1988. The race has now gone back to its roots and most entrants are amateurs in cruisers or cruiser-racers
as you will have to pass on the same side going out as you came in. Further on, the Barra stopover has been discarded while Lerwick stays, then the route back sees Blyth in Northumberland replacing Lowestoft. The net result is that each of the legs is now around 400-650 miles, we lose 48 hours of stopover and the race is now more accessible to the general public.’
One key change is the number of crew. This time, in addition to double handed, four person crews will be allowed, plus teams can change up to 50 per cent of their crew at the end of one of the legs if they wish to. ‘Weaving a major event into a year full of other commitments can be tricky so this is intended to make it easier to take part. We are also keen to tempt owners into looking at short-handed sailing, this we see as a really nice compromise.’ Some classic offshore races aren’t as easy to modify. Moving the Fastnet finish from Plymouth to Cherbourg was keenly debated. What isn’t in doubt is the enthusiasm for racing around the most famous lighthouse in the racing world. Here, the RWYC have created two events. ‘Next summer sees the second edition of the Original Lonely Rock Race which, in conjunction with the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, starts off Ryde in the Solent, rounds the Rock
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