Corinthian Challenge - The Spirit of Ocean Racing

Update:

World Cruising Club, a division of Challenge Business, Organiser of the recently launched Corinthian Challenge have now released further information about this unique, world-class race due to set sail in September 2006.

Inspired by Sir Chay Blyth’s participation in the 1974 Whitbread the Corinthian Challenge has grown from the need for round the world racing that is accessible to all, regardless of yacht design, sponsorship or depth of pocket. It is hoped that a truly Corinthian event will attract private boat owners and club racers alike, and interest to date since the launch of the event at the London Boat Show in January definitely indicates these are the interested parties.

The Ports:

Although the final stopover ports will not be announced until the end of 2003, the proposed course will comprise seven legs incorporating UK, Canary Islands, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South America and the Caribbean before finishing in the UK.

Entry Restrictions:

Open to monohulls suitable for racing in the most demanding conditions, yachts will be raced under the ORC Special Regulations for Category O. The Organisers have put in place rating restrictions in order to limit the spread of the fleet between stopovers and enable the race to be completed in a concise 9 months. Yachts eligible to enter must have a 2003 IRC TCC Rating of between 1.140 and 1.450 and a minimum overall length of 58 feet or 17.7 metres.

Cost Saving Restrictions:

To help control costs for competitors, sensible limitations have been put in place in order to deter high budget campaigns in line with the ethos of the whole event. These include limitations on the maximum number of sails that may be used during the race as well as other measures, to be detailed in the Notice of Race.

Crew Restrictions:

All crew must adhere to the ISAF Rules on Professionals; with no more than 2 crew from ISAF Group 3 and 2 crew from ISAF Group 2 sailing on board at any one time. This limits the number of professionals permitted to take part in the Race and maintains the Corinthian spirit.

At least half of the crew on board for each leg must have participated in at least a 500 mile passage aboard the boat they are competing on. The only age restriction is that all competitors must be 18 years old when they reach the start line and each competing yacht must have at least 6 crew on board at any one time. The Organisers will permit crew changes for each leg if desired, however 2 crew members must remain on board for two consecutive legs. The minimum mandatory training for all crew is prescribed by ISAF Special Regulation 6.01.

Challenge Business Support:

Challenge Business plan to offer a wealth of support to competing yachts, appreciative of the fact that a large number of entries will have had no previous experience of running a round the world race campaign. This will include a preparatory Seminar for all Skippers and crew drawing on advice and expert knowledge from key figures in the sport of yacht racing and assistance with crew finding and logistics.

Entry details:

The Entry Fee per yacht is £30,000 with a £1000 deposit payable on application. There will be a berthing supplement of £3000 for all yachts over 80 feet or 24.4 metres.

A Notice of Race and Application Form can be obtained from the Organisers, World Cruising Club. More detailed information on the Corinthian Challenge can be obtained by visiting the World Cruising Club website: www.worldcruising.com/corinthian.

- Ends -

Notes for editors:

World Cruising Club events include: ARC, ARC Europe in association with Yachting World and Blue Water Sailing from Antigua every May; Yachting Monthly Rally Portugal from Plymouth to Lagos, Portugal; The Classic Malts Cruise in Scotland every July; The Corinthian Challenge Round the World Yacht Race due to start in September 2006; plus cruising seminars organised to help sailors with their cruising preparations.
World Cruising Club, organisers of the world’s most popular yachting rallies, is part of Challenge Business, which was founded by Sir Chay Blyth 12 years ago.
Southampton based Challenge Business events include: The Global Challenge; the Round Britain Challenge; the Challenge Transat; the Atlantic Rowing Challenge; the Ocean Fours Rowing Challenge; the Blue Water Challenge 2006-2007. It also runs Challenge Corporate Events and Challenge Adventure Sailing.
A selection of maps and free images are available for press use.

Contacts: Andrew Bishop or Sue Richards
World Cruising Club - Challenge Business
Tel. +44 (0)1983 296060
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.worldcruising.com/corinthian

World Cruising Club, 120 High Street, Cowes, PO31 7AX, England

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