PORTSMOUTH, UK — With just six weeks remaining before the start of this classic, single-handed dash across the Atlantic, nearly 100 entrants have registered for the Europe 1 New Man STAR, representing 14 countries and a full spectrum of offshore designs. Every four years, this race integrates seasoned sailors from the professional ranks with near-novices from the rank and file, many of the latter bent on achieving their life's ambition of racing alone across the ocean.
Run by the Royal Western Yacht Club of England, the race celebrates its 40th birthday this year. Because it will serve as a qualifier for the non-stop, 'round-the-world Vendée Globe, which starts in November, a record number of Open 60s are expected to be on the starting line. Reportedly, 25 of these globe-girdling craft will race, making theirs the most competitive of the five classes. And at least seven 60-foot multihulls are registered to race since the Europe 1 New Man STAR has been named the first event of the ORMC annual championship circuit. Both these classes are expected to guarantee the race more media attention than ever before. The record for this passage from Plymouth to Newport, RI, set in 1988 by Philippe Poupon aboard Fleury Michon, stands at 10 days, 9 hours, and 15 minutes. For additional information, see www.europe1newmanstar.com.