Yachtsmen wishing to have a crack at the race which first put Francis Chichester in the headlines have a month to enter.The deadline for entering OSTAR 2009 is 31 January. All entry forms and booking fees are to be with the Royal Western Yacht Club by then.

The race kicks off on 25th May 2009 and preparations are already underway. There is to be a Half Crown Club Reunion on the evening prior to the start, details of which will be available on the website below.

The Half Crown Club is open to all those who have entered an OSTAR race. All 2009 entrants are invited to attend the reunion allowing them to share a drink or two with those who have competed in the OSTAR in previous years – and maybe even pick up some tips!

The Corporation of Trinity House has kindly offered the newly commissioned ship THV GALETEA as the start vessel. The GALATEA is now the vessel used by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at Cowes Week so the RWYC is very privileged to have her in Plymouth Sound next May.

An official artist has been appointed for OSTAR 2009 – Richard Allman. He is both a sailor and painter/illustrator working in Plymouth. He has worked on several series of race paintings, including the Round Britain and Ireland Race 2006. He was based at the Barbican in Plymouth for TRANSAT 2008, working on paintings of the competing boats, and the square rigger Earl of Pembroke.

OSTAR