Torbay: To Host World's Toughest Sailing Race

Torbay will host the UK leg of the Solitaire du Figaro race in 2015 - a 2000 mile solo yacht race, unofficially known as the world championships of solo offshore sailing.

The Solitaire du Figaro is a sailing endurance race divided up into 500-mile legs between several European host ports. 

Now in its 46th year, the race draws only the best sailing talent to its start line, and attracts sailing fans and the general public alike to its bustling race village. 

It's hoped more than 100,000 people will visit with the location chosen as it is within 2 hours of more than 100 yacht clubs and sailing academies. 

Recognising the race as an opportunity for increased tourism, international publicity for the town and community involvement, the Royal Torbay Yacht Club and Torbay Council have been the driving force behind the host venue bid The Solitaire du Figaro - one of the world's toughest sailing events - comes into the Bay between the 17th and 21st June. 

The arrival of the race will mark another significant chapter in Torbay's rich maritime history, the Bay hosting the 1948 Olympic sailing competition. 

The Artemis Offshore Academy, the UK's only training centre for British solo sailors, has been working closely with Torbay representatives to successfully prepare the town for the race. 

Training and supporting British solo competitors since 2010, Artemis supports eight UK Solitaire competitors, including well-known southwest Solitaire competitors Robin Elsey (Falmouth), Sam Matson (Exmouth) and Henry Bomby (Dartmouth) - with all 3 now training for the race in 2015.