2013-14 Global Solo Race edition for solo sailors

During the single-handed, transatlantic Route du Rhum – La Banque Postale late last year, Class40 represented the biggest class in the race with 44 entries supplying 51 per cent of the overall fleet and delivering the closest racing in the event.

“There is a clear desire from sailors worldwide for an affordable and highly-competitive solo round the world race,” explains GOR and GSR Race Director, Josh Hall. “As official organisers of Class40 round the world races, we are extremely pleased to issue the NOR for just such an event,” he continues.

The GSR will start from a European port on 10th November 2013 and will include just two stopover ports, dividing the 33,000 mile circumnavigation into three legs. With the intention of limiting fleet separation and mitigating the risk of exposing individual competitors in the remote Southern Ocean sector of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, Leg 1 will finish in Cape Town, South Africa, following approximately 7,500 miles of racing through the Atlantic ; Leg 2 will finish in Punta del Este, Uruguay, following 13,000 miles of racing through the Indian and Pacific Oceans and around Cape Horn.

“Re-grouping the fleet both before and after the long, challenging Southern Ocean leg will provide increased safety and ensure the close racing which features in all Class40 events,” confirms Hall.

Finally, Leg 3 will be direct from Uruguay to the finish port. The provisional re-start date for Leg 2 in Cape Town is 5th January 2014 and Leg 3 will provisionally start on 23rd March 2014 with the finish in Europe after a 6,200 mile climb north through the South and North Atlantic. “

We are proud and grateful to embrace Cape Town and Punta del Este as stopover ports for the GSR,” Hall adds. “These are exciting times for Class40 and for the Race Organisation as together we provide double and single-handed round the world races that are highly achievable to all.”

 Info presse www.globaloceanrace.com