Ocean yachtsman Rory McDougall is one of 80 entrants for the Jester Challenge, the solo transatlantic race which starts on 23 May in Plymouth and finishes 2,800 miles later in Newport, Rhode Island USA.

Rory and 11 other yachtsmen are sailing 21 ft boats. The entrants range from a 20 ft Hunter Europa to a 35ft gaffer.

Rory, who is competing in his Tiki 21 catamaran, Cooking Fat, sailed into the record books in 1997 for helming the smallest catamaran around the world. He met his wife, Michelle, shortly after the circumnavigation and they have been raising two kids in the Caribbean since.

“It is 50 years ago that the first OSTAR took place with the indomitable Francis Chichester as one of the entrants, and indeed the winner. It is therefore a great honour for me to be sailing in the wake of his Gipsy Moth III and to be raising funds for the charity he left behind as part of his legacy,” said Rory.

“The ‘Sir Francis Chichester Trust’ raises funds to send youths on Outward Bound courses, helping them face the transition to adulthood through adventure. I will be publishing a link on my blog to a Just Giving webpage during the event for public donations to the Trust. For more information on the Trust visit www.chichestertrust.org.uk.

“This time aboard I will take some technology to keep in contact with my wife Michelle. She will very patiently get calls from me every couple of days so she can write the voyage story in the blog. The blog has already started at roryandcookie.blogspot.com.

“I will take a Spot Tracker device so an updated position can also be displayed on the blog. For more information about Cookie and the voyage around the world, please visit www.roryandcookie.com.”