Transat bakery 2016 UK race charity announced

With just three weeks to go until the start of the race, OC Sport is pleased to announce The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust as the official UK race charity of The Transat bakerly, 2016.

The Trust was set up by Dame Ellen MacArthur in 2003 and is now a nationwide organisation that uses sailing to help re-build confidence in young people who have suffered from cancer and leukaemia. The tie-up with The Transat bakerly, the world’s oldest professional solo race that sets sail from Plymouth to New York on May 2nd, is particularly appropriate because MacArthur was on the startline in 2000.

The 2016 edition of The Transat bakerly will see 25 solo skippers in four classes – Ultimes, IMOCA 60s, Multi50s and Class40s – take on one of the great challenges in professional sailing. They face a 3,000-mile course complete with storm force headwinds, rough seas and freezing fog.

When Sir Francis Chichester won the inaugural edition of the race in 1960, it took him 40 days to reach New York. This year the fastest boats could be there in as little as seven days.

Visit the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust at the start of The Transat bakerly in the official Race Village at Plymouth (open from April 29th to May 2nd), where there will be a “Get Your Kit On” competition with a chance to win great prizes.

To celebrate the return of the Transat bakerly to Plymouth, we are putting on an incredible selection of entertainment between Friday 29 April and Monday 2 May, the weekend before the sailors depart on their race.

The Barbican and historic harbour will be transformed into an amazing Race Village. There will also be a brand new Ocean City Blues N Jazz Festival, an air display, firework display and street entertainment.

The Ocean City Blues ‘N’ Jazz Festival will take place on Saturday 30 April: 12pm to 10.30pm, Sunday 1 May: 12pm to 5pm and Monday 2 May: 12pm to 5pm.

Fireworks will be set off from the Plymouth waterfront at approximately 9.15pm on Saturday 30 April for a 10 to 15 minute display. Followed by a 30 minute air display on Sunday 1 May at 2pm.

The Transat bakerly fleet will cross the start line at approximately 2.30pm on Monday 2 May and the boats, along with their solo skippers will start their voyage to New York.

For further information click here.