The Artemis Transit at Sutton Harbour, Plymouth

A little bit of history

Created in 1960 by Sir Francis Chichester and Blondie Hasler, the Artemis Transit is the oldest solo race in history. Memorably described by Blondie as ‘One man, one boat, the ocean’, these legendary words still inspire apprehension and awe with competitors and spectators alike.

The first race left Millbay Docks in Plymouth in 1960, made up of four brave competitors, with a fifth joining later. Sir Francis Chichester won the race after 40 days, 12 hours and 30 minutes, becoming one of Britain’s most famous and admired seafaring adventurers. By comparison, the 2004 Transat saw 39 boats entered in four different classes, with the race being won in just eight days, eight hours and 29 minutes by Frenchman Michel Desjoyeaux in a 60-foot multihull.

The 2008 race is the 13th edition and will be a monohull-only race for the first time since multihulls were introduced in 1964. There will be two classes: one for 60-foot vessels (IMOCA Open 60) and one for 40-foot vessels (Class 40). It is expected that there will be a record number of competitors this year, with around

50 boats registered to take part.

The Race Village

The Race Village will officially open to the public over the Bank Holiday weekend from Saturday 3 May.

Based around Plymouth’s historic Barbican area in Sutton Harbour and neighbouring Queen Anne’s Battery, the Race Village will be home to the entire racing fleet – more than 40 experienced world-class ocean skippers and their support teams – throughout the week leading up to the start of the race.

There will be an exciting festival atmosphere with live entertainment, street performers, stalls, an education programme and a range of exciting and diverse events that are expected to attract more than 100,000 people.

Entry to the Race Village will be free of charge. The location of the village will provide visitors with the perfect vantage point to see the racing fleet arrive at Sutton Harbour over the weekend prior to the start of the race, and to admire these amazing vessels in close proximity as final preprations are made before waving them off a week later.

A real education

A key element of the event will be the development of an extensive education programme. This section of the event will include interactive displays provided by the University of Plymouth, OC Events and the National Marine Aquarium. All of the displays have been designed to educate and inspire children through themed exhibitions that link directly to the main elements of the race, including history, technology, climate change, sustainability and marine-based careers.

What does it mean for Plymouth?

The Artemis Transat is managed by OC Events, part of the OC Group. Locally the event is supported by The Sutton Harbour Group, South West of England Regional Development Agency, Plymouth City Council and Event South West. The regional partner group is responsible for delivering the bid to host the start of the race and will be pulling out all the stops to make this event the biggest and best that Plymouth has ever seen.

Plymouth is a changing city. The growth of the marine sector and tourism industry, alongside increasing inward investment, is all part of the partners’ vision to make Plymouth one of Europe’s finest, most vibrant waterfront cities. The profile of The Artemis Transat will put the city firmly on the map as one of the major sailing centres in the UK and as a dynamic city at the fore of maritime events.

"Sutton Harbour will provide the perfect base for the visiting fleet and the ideal location for the start of this world class event," says Nigel Godefroy, Managing Director of Sutton Harbour Group. "The harbour will act as the perfect backdrop for this iconic event, providing all the facilities that the visiting fleet could need and an exciting entertainment programme for visitors to the Race Village."

Councillor Glenn Jordan, Plymouth City Council Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities and Leisure, added: "With such a long history between our maritime city and the Transat race we were all elated to win the bid to host the race again in 2008. Plymouth City Council is part of the Plymouth Partner Group, responsible for securing the race for 2008 and for delivering a spectacular world-class event that will be the curtain-raiser to the 2008 Plymouth Summer Festival."

Richard Thomas from the South West RDA was equally enthusiastic: "By securing The Artemis Transat for 2008 we are able to showcase Plymouth’s rich maritime history and put the spotlight on South-west England as a marine centre of excellence.

"Plymouth has an opportunity to take centre stage and appeal to a global audience, promoting its business and inward investment opportunities alongside outstanding leisure facilities and its spectacular natural environment."

Conrad Humphreys, Managing Director of Event South West and a competitor in the 2004 race, said: "I’ve no doubt that The Artemis Transat at Sutton Harbour will live up to its fierce reputation and challenge every competitor who makes it across the start line. It’s great to see some new names taking part in the UK’s most legendary transatlantic race." Join us and be part of it.

More information is available at www.theartemistransat.com

Calender of events

There will be plenty to keep all members of the family entertained during the lead up to the start of the race on 11 May. You don’t have to be a well-weathered sailor to be part of the action. Why not head on down to the Race Village from 3 May to enjoy the extensive entertainment on offer, view the boats, food and drink specialities and, of course, the inspiring educational displays charting the history of sailing and racing and how much has changed over the years.

 

Saturday 3 May – Sunday 11 May

• Race Village opens free to the public

• Live entertainment

• Parade of sail and introductions to the competing skippers

• Extreme 40 exhibition racing

Tuesday 6 – Wednesday 7 May

• School tours of the Race Village

• On-water classrooms

• Q & A sessions with the competing skippers

Sunday 11 May

• 10am: Race teams head out of Sutton Harbour

• 12 noon: Parade of sail

• 1pm: Air display

• 2pm: Race starts

The Race Village at Sutton Harbour and the Barbican will be the best places to watch competing vessels leave the harbour for the start of the race on Sunday 11th. From 12 noon the Hoe will provide spectators with an amazing view as all of the boats take part in a parade of sail before heading out to sea on their epic, single-handed 2,800-mile journey to America. The spectacle is expected to draw in crowds, as well as the media, from across the world, so get there early to secure the best spot!

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