Sir Robin Knox-Johnston set off for New York today in his Open 60 Grey Power. The trans-Atlantic crossing is part of Robin’s preparations for the VELUX 5 OCEANS, the round the world, single-handed yacht race which begins in October 2006 in Bilbao, Spain.

Sir Robin, who cast off this morning from Clipper Ventures head quarters in Gosport, UK, will sail to New York with a crew of three and then sail solo on the return crossing into Plymouth. In 1982, Sir Robin set down the rule that every competitor who sails in the race must complete a trans-oceanic voyage of at least 2000 miles in order to qualify. The trans-Atlantic crossing will cover 2925 miles and take around 12 days to complete.

Sir Robin acquired the former Fila Open 60, previously campaigned by Giovanni Soldini in May this year and has since sailed her from Lorient to Gosport and again in the Round the Island Race earlier this month when he finished in second place in the Open 60 class, behind fellow VELUX 5 OCEANS competitor, Mike Golding in Ecover.