A brand-new around the world sailing event is coming to Plymouth

26th June 2024

Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City, is set to host an exhilarating new around-the-world sailing event, the WORLDSTAR on Saturday 26 September 2026!

Organized by the Royal Western Yacht Club (RWYC), the WORLDSTAR promises to be a thrilling spectacle. Starting in the picturesque Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, sailors will embark on an impressive journey around Antarctica before returning to Plymouth for the finish.

This extraordinary race is open to all solo and double-handed boats between 35ft and 60ft that has completed a 2000-mile qualification passage within the specified timeframe.

Commodore and Race Director, Chris Arscott said, “As we know, The Royal Western Yacht Club was the very first club to introduce short-handed and fully crewed offshore and oceanic racing. We want to complete the offering by launching this unique and ultimate test of seamanship to complement the OSTAR TWOSTAR and the RB&I, an opportunity for those sailors who want to take on the World in their own boat without the need to spend huge amounts of money.”

Race ambassador and round the world sailor, Guy Waites said “This is for the adventurer, for the sailor who inspires to the ultimate challenge… short-handed, non-stop, around the world via the 3 great capes. An event with clear guidelines, an event to facilitate your dream in, quite possibly, the boat you already own.”

RWYC Vice Commodore Adrian Gray said, “It is our intention to help as many sailors as possible with the required experience to achieve their dream at a reasonable level of investment, with the confidence of knowing that one of the worlds most experienced oceanic yacht clubs is with them in their quest to conquer their 'Everest'. This will become part of a very tough, 3-STAR Challenge, along with the OSTAR and TWOSTAR.”

The WORLDSTAR start is scheduled to start at 12pm on Saturday 26 September 2026.

To find out more and to register your note of intent please go to https://rwyc.org/worldstar

Further information and sponsorship opportunities please email rcoceanic@rwyc.org