The world’s biggest Solo Ocean Race To Finish In Boston In 2004

OC Events launches what’s likely to be the world’s biggest-ever solo ocean yacht race: ‘The Transat’ 2004, single-handed transatlantic race from Plymouth (UK) to Boston (US).

Established in 1960 as the OSTAR, ‘The Transat’ was the first-ever single-handed ocean race. It is arguably the most challenging of all trans-ocean races, taking competitors nearly 3,000 miles upwind, across the gruelling North Atlantic Ocean.

Over forty 50-foot and 60-foot state-of-the-art boats, raced by the superstars of the solo offshore sailing circuit, are expected to take part in the 2004 race, each of them backed by international corporate sponsors and managed by professional shore teams. The race is expected to generate over $50 million dollars of media coverage, with at least 20 hours of TV coverage in both the UK and France, and thousands of media impressions, putting the spotlight on Boston.

Following a broad evaluation of potential venues on the Eastern seaboard of the US, Boston has been selected over New York as the finish destination that will deliver the best event for all stakeholders.

“Boston is the ideal race destination”, said Mark Turner. “We believe the decision will benefit the competitors, their sponsors, their shore teams and all our race partners. The support from the Boston Harbor Hotel and the Corinthian Yacht Club, in particular, were key factors in our decision, taken after an extensive trip to various locations on the east coast of the US. In the end, we had to make a decision between New York and Boston, and we are 100% confident that we have chosen the right finish location for the 2004 race.”

“In addition, Boston was once the home port of the founding father of solo sailing, Joshua Slocum, who was the first person to ever sail around the world alone at the end of the 19th century. The Slocum Society was a supporter of the very first event in 1960.”

The Boston Harbor Hotel’s Rowes Wharf berthing facility will be home for the entire fleet when they arrive after their 2-week battle with the elements. Furthermore, the hotel has offered its excellent media and hospitality facilities for VIPs, the media and sponsors from both sides of the Atlantic.

Paul Jacques, General Manager of the hotel, said: “We are delighted that the Boston Harbor Hotel is able to play such a large role in ‘The Transat’. We look forward to working with the team at OCE over the next few months to ensure that we create a great event for the City of Boston.”

The Corinthian Yacht Club (CYC) is the official American host yacht club for ‘The Transat’. CYC’s Race Committee will be responsible for taking finishing times in Boston Harbor, and for assisting OCE with other details of the race finish.

Kent Hallawell, Commodore of CYC, based in Marblehead, Massachusetts commented: “The Corinthian is honored to be a part of this great race. ‘The Transat’ has a long and magnificent history, and is admired by every sailor who has dreamed of racing across the Atlantic. We look forward to welcoming the fleet to Boston and to the Corinthian Yacht Club.”

“These high-performance racing machines, and the incredible men and women who sail them, will bring a new level of excitement to Boston Harbor and New England.”