Sevenstar Round Britain Ireland Race attracts Volvo 70s and Class 40s

by RORC on 8 Mar 2010 The Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race is turning into a truly international event with confirmed entries from boats representing eight nations in the non-stop race organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) and sponsored by the specialist yacht and motorboat shipping company, Sevenstar.

The Race is seen as such a tough challenge that it is attracting a lot of interest from the oceanic group of sailors including Volvo Ocean 70’s, IMOCA 60’s and Class 40’s. The race will start in Cowes on Monday 23rd August 2010, following on from the Rolex Commodores’ Cup.

E1 is using the race to help prepare for 2011-2012 Volvo Ocean Race. The Volvo Ocean 70, E1 was purchased from the Ericsson Racing Team (formerly Ericsson One) and Project Director, Michael Reardon is looking forward to the race: 'The Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race is a perfect challenge for the E1 Slovenian and Austrian Racing Team who are based at The Ocean Racing Club of Slovenia, Kempinski Palace, Portoroze. In preparation for the next Volvo Ocean Race we expect other Volvo 70s to join us. Our first race in this tried and tested boat was the Rolex Middle Sea Race where we finished just behind Torben Grael on Luna Rossa and in front of Intermatica on the water.'

ICAP Leopard meanwhile is out to break more records. Chris Sherlock, ICAP Leopard’s Boat Captain is looking forward to setting a new record in Mike Slade’s 100ft super maxi. They last competed in the Round Britain and Ireland Race in 1992 in Ocean Leopard when the race had three stopovers: 'Since then Mike has owned four maxis and this will be the first time we have been able to have a go at the outright record and at the same time set a new course record before heading off to the Mediterranean. The Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland race is one of the toughest race courses we encounter due to the fact it gives all wind angles and conditions for double the amount of time of a Fastnet or the Hobart. We look forward to this classic race.'

RORC Chief Executive, Eddie Warden Owen comments on the interest in the event: 'Even the Class 40 Association have included the race in their annual programme and we expect to see at least eight boats entering from this class. Most sailors agree that this race is one of the toughest tests as it’s a non-stop race in some of the busiest waters in the world and requires exemplary tactical and navigational skills. The Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race appeals to experienced ocean racers, seasoned RORC members and those less experienced sailors looking for a fulfilling adventure and sailing challenge.'

The Beneteau 40.7 Playing Around Logic was the first boat to sign up for the 2010 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race. The boat has been entered by Sailing Logic, proud winners of the RORC’s ‘Yacht of the Year’ Award in 2009 with Puma Logic. Skipper Peter Robson teamed up with this successful Southampton-based sailing and race training company last year, taking a team through the tough training and preparation for the Rolex Fastnet Race. Along with mate Graeme Castle, Robson will repeat this successful partnership with a further eight crew members and says: 'I loved the challenge of coaching like-minded people to race at a high level and then seeing them perform at their very best under tough conditions.

Two very keen offshore racers and RORC members have signed up to enjoy the challenge and are hoping to win. Piet Vroon will be racing his Ker 46, Tonnerre de Breskens and this one-off high performance racer will be a front-runner for an overall win. Harry Heijst will also be pushing his more traditional S & S 41, Winsome to the limit with every intention of taking first prize especially as he will have the race sponsor’s Managing Director on board: 'It is my love of offshore racing that got me into the business of shipping yachts around the world, which is what we do at Sevenstar' said Richard Klabbers. 'To win the race we sponsor would be quite an achievement and I know Harry will do everything to try and make that happen.'

Follow the Race: The Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race can be followed via the event website: http://sevenstar.rorc.org/ and all yachts will be fitted with a tracking device to ensure interaction for audiences around the world as well as allowing family and friends to follow those taking part.

To date there have been six editions of the RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race starting in 1976 and only three of those have been a non-stop race. The last race in 2006 was sponsored by Sevenstar and attracted 25 entries.

The fully crewed non-stop race covers 1760 miles and is open to IRC, IMOCA 60s, Class 40s and multihulls who will race clockwise around Britain and Ireland, starting from the Royal Yacht Squadron line in Cowes on the Isle of Wight on Monday 23rd August 2010.


Event site: http://sevenstar.rorc.org/
Enquiries are open for the race via the Royal Ocean Racing Club: www.rorc.org.

Founded in 1999, Sevenstar is the world’s leading provider of yacht transportation services, specialising in yacht and motorboat shipment. They have offices all over the world and ship over 2,000 yachts per year to their destination. Sevenstar arrange transport anywhere in the world onboard a secure carrier. The group has direct access to around 100 independent carriers, offering a virtually unlimited choice of transportation options. For race yachts Sevenstar now offers a unique package to the teams which includes all logistics of boat and spares.