Petit Bateau announces new single-handed race for 2006

Starting at Cowes, on Saturday May 6th 2006, the race is open to both monohulls and multihulls from 25ft to 40 ft overall, with a special class for Minis. The course will be familiar to all those who have participated in the crewed races around the island but the challenge of sailing solo will bring added excitement to this 50 mile track.

This event is the latest in a series of innovative single-handed races organised by Petit Bateau over the last three years. The internet based group of shorthanded sailors was formed by OSTAR entrants in 2000 and now has 260 members from around the world. Their races are a unique opportunity for those new to solo sailing to sample this testing discipline and to compete against others with many thousands of miles of solo experience.

Paul Peggs, race director and accomplished Mini-Transat & Round Britain sailor, anticipates an enthusiastic entry from the shorthanded community on the South Coast and expects 30 to 40 boats will start the first edition of this challenging new event.

All Petit Bateau events are OPEN races to encourage development in shorthanded design and techniques. IRC / MOCRA certificates are not required but corrected times will be calculated for those who have them.

25 yachts have already entered the Petit Bateau Solo Race week that starts from Weymouth on 19th August, and visits Alderney, Guernsey, Treguier, Fowey and finishes in Mylor.

For more information and to enter online visit www.petitbateau.org.uk