6 August 2014
Start Sunday 10 August 2014
11 Nations to Race Around Britain and Ireland
The most northerly point on the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race course: Muckle Flugga
Credit: Northern Lighthouse Board
Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing, the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race will start at noon Sunday 10th August from the Royal Yacht Squadron line, Cowes, Isle of Wight.
The fleet will set off down the Solent to the east and turn west around the south side of the Isle of Wight. After that the course is simple: leave Ireland and Great Britain to starboard all the way to the northern tip of the Shetland Isles, a point known as Outer Stack just north of Muckle Flugga, then return down the eastern side of the UK back to where the race started in Cowes, a non-stop 1800 mile race. The fastest yachts may complete the course in under a week. For the slower yachts, nearly two weeks is likely.
The RORC held the first race in 1976 and since then it has established itself as a global sporting event. This year yachts flying the flags of 11 nations will be taking part: China, France, Germany, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Ireland, Oman, Spain, Sweden, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America.
"This race is another step up from the offshore races organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club. The course is three times longer than the Rolex Fastnet Race and it takes the competitors through a myriad of different conditions. Crews will have to cope with a huge number of elements and that is what makes this race so compelling," commented RORC CEO Eddie Warden Owen.
"Most sailors agree that this race is one of the toughest tests of them all. It is nearly as long as an Atlantic crossing, but the changes of direction at headlands, navigating wind farms and oil rigs, will mean constant breaks in the watch system for sail changes and sail trim. The race is only run every four years and is a highly regarded fixture on the yacht racing calendar; experienced amateurs and seasoned professionals alike aspire to compete in a race that is real challenge."
Website:
The easiest way to follow the fleet will be via the RORC's minisite for the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race - http://roundbritainandireland.rorc.org/
The latest news updates and press releases as well as information from the race course will be found on the site. Images from the fleet and blogs from the boats themselves are all part of an initiative to make the race more interactive for family and friends and those following the fleet.
Race Tracker:
Following the success of a tracking system for the entire fleet in 2010, all yachts will be fitted with a similar device.http://roundbritainandireland.rorc.org/2014-fleet-tracking.html
Play the Game - Virtual Regatta
Armchair experts around the world can test their skills against the sailors racing on the yachts in the 2014 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race. The Virtual Round Britain and Ireland Race game mirrors the 1802 nautical mile race known to all as a true test of offshore sailing skill. The course makes for a difficult race, testing inshore and offshore skills, preparation and speed potential. The virtual race is no different! http://manyclick.manyplayers.com/click.php?li=4361
Social Media
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/RoyalOceanRacingClub
Twitter: @OffshoreOne - #rorcsrbi
VIDEO
"Subscribe" to the channel on https://www.youtube.com/user/RORCRacing
Story Leads: Notes on competitors, race information, history, records and contacts HERE
Latest Entry List HERE
Crews Lists (to date) HERE
Please find the Media Accreditation form for the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race HERE. Or:
http://roundbritainandireland.rorc.org/media.html
Images:
High resolution images will be available to accredited media and can be downloaded from a gallery with a press login and password.
VNR:
A VNR will be available to broadcasters from the start and finish of the race. Details will be emailed on ftp site etc. Video edits will be on the RORC's YouTube Channel and website.
The Race:
There has been seven editions of the RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race which started in 1976. Sevenstar sponsored the race in 2006 and 2010 and has committed to a longterm partnership with the RORC. The 2014 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race is a fully crewed non-stop race covering 1802 nautical miles and is open to IRC, IMOCA 60s, Class40s, Volvo 65s and Multihulls that will race around Britain and Ireland, starting from the Royal Yacht Squadron line in Cowes on the Isle of Wight starting after Cowes Week on Sunday 10th August 2014.
Records:
2010 IRC Overall Winner & IMOCA 60 Record: GBR100 Artemis Ocean Racing, Jonny Malbon, 2010: 6 days 10:32:27
2010 Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race Records:
World Record * Groupama, Franck Cammas, 2010: 5 days 21:26:55 * ratified by the WSSRC
RORC Record: Groupama, Franck Cammas, 2010: 5 days 21:26:55
Class 40 Record: GBR 93 Concise 2, Ned Collier Wakefield, 2010: 9 days 13:32:20
Website:
Race website - Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race home page: http://roundbritainandireland.rorc.org
Sevenstar Yacht Transport: http://www.sevenstar-yacht-transport.com
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