SINGLE HANDED TRANSATLANTIC RACE

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The Single-handed Trans-Atlantic Race, or STAR, is an east-to-west yacht race across the North Atlantic. When inaugurated in 1960, it was the first single-handed ocean yacht race; it is run from Plymouth to the USA, and is held every four years.

The race was originally sponsored by the UK-based Observer newspaper, and known as the Observer Single-handed Trans-Atlantic Race, or OSTAR; due to changes in sponsorship, it has been known as the CSTAR, Europe 1 STAR, and the Europe 1 New Man STAR. Its most recent edition was simply known as The Transat.

History

The Single-handed Trans-Atlantic Race was conceived by Francis Chichester and Herbert "Blondie" Hasler in 1956. The whole idea of a single-handed ocean yacht race race was a revolutionary concept at the time, as the idea was thought to be extremely impractical; but this was especially true given the adverse conditions of their proposed route — a westward crossing of the north Atlantic Ocean, against the prevailing winds.

Chichester and Hasler sought sponsorship for a race, but by 1959, no-one had been prepared to back the race; the two men eventually decided that they would race for a half-crown bet if all else failed. Finally, though, The Observer newspaper provided sponsorship, and in 1960, under the management of the Royal Western Yacht Club of England, the Observer Single-handed Trans-Atlantic Race, or OSTAR, was on.

The first run of the race was a great success; since then, it has run every four years, and has become firmly established as one of the major events on the yachting calendar. The name of the event has changed several times due to changed in main sponsor; it has been known as the CSTAR, Europe 1 STAR, and the Europe 1 New Man STAR; the latest edition was run as The Transat. Throughout its history, however, the essentials of the race have remained the same. It has also become known as a testbed for new innovations in yacht racing; many new ideas started out in the STAR.

LINKS and REFERENCE

• The Transat, the official web site

• All the Single handed Transatlantic Race history, from Team Woodbase

• The Singlehanded Trans-Atlantic Race 1960-2000, by Peter Marsh

• History — 11 June 1960, from Team Woodbase

• Peyron Repeats STAR Triumph, from Sailing World

• Records Tumble in Classic Transat Race, from the official web site

• The Race — The Course, from Team Woodbase

• The Golden Globe Race, by Barry Pickthall, from boats.com

• Finding Beauty in a Junk, by Michelle Potter

• History — 23 May 1964, from Team Woodbase

• History — 1 June 1968, from Team Woodbase

• History — 17 June 1972, from Team Woodbase

• Club Méditerranée: un géant parmi les monocoques (French), with a picture of the boat

• The Battle of Trafalgar Muster Roll, from the official HMS Victory website

• History — 5 June 1976, from Team Woodbase

• 1980 — Triumph of the Multihulls, from the official web site

• History — 7 June 1980, from Team Woodbase

• History — 2 June 1984, from Team Woodbase

• History — 5 June 1988, from Team Woodbase

• History — 7 June 1992, from Team Woodbase

• History — 1996, from Team Woodbase

• The Race — This Year, from Team Woodbase

• 2000 — Open 60 battle, from the official web site

• Kingfisher Challenge 2000 — She Did It!, from Adverc Battery Management

• LARGEST EVER PROFESSIONAL 60-FOOT CLASS TO COMPETE IN THE TRANSAT, from Nick Moloney

• Leader Board— ORMA 60 Multihulls, from the official web site

• Leader Board— IMOCA 60 Monohulls, from the official web site

• Leader Board— ORMA 50 Multihulls, from the official web site

• Leader Board— IMOCA 50 Monohulls, from the official web site

LUXURY YACHT CHARTER

These two yachts and service boat are for hire from 1st April
2007 to 8th July 2007 for the Americas cup.

Moorings: the Real Club Nautica, Valencia.

1) The White Star of London which is an Elegance 76, 23.5 metres long with four ensuite guest cabins and the latest electronic navigation and TV systems and American hot tub jacuzzi on the fly bridge.
 
2) The Elegant Star of London which is an Elegance 80, 24.5 metres long with four ensuite guest cabins and the latest electronic navigation and TV systems and American hot tub jacuzzi on the fly bridge.

Email:  nelson @ solarnavigator.net

White Ocean Racing are seeking sponsorship for the remaining 2007 season

for this Open 60 racing yacht and Steve White

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