Devon yacht club launches new round-the-world race

The first 'WorldStar' round the world race will get underway in 2026

The Royal Western Yacht Club in Plymouth has launched a new round-the-world race that will start and finish in the city.

The first 'WorldStar' race will get underway in 2026 and is a non-stop event for single or double-handed sailors looking to tick this achievement off of their bucket list.

Founded in 1827, the club was the very first to introduce this type of yacht racing with the Observer Single-Handed TransAtlantic Race (OSTAR) in 1960.

Commodore and Race Director Chris Arscott described this new event as the "Everest of the sailing world" and believes it is a great opportunity to showcase and promote the city of Plymouth.

Chris Arscott described the event as the "Everest of the sailing world"

He said: "We see this event (the Worldstar) as very much an opportunity of putting the club and Plymouth back on the map.

"A statistic I heard was there's something like 5,000 people who have climbed Mount Everest and only (something like) 200 who have sailed non-stop around the world."

Vessels between 35ft (10.6m) and 60ft (18.3m) are eligible to enter and the club is hoping to have about 30 yachts on the start line on 26 September 2026.

Single-handed sailor Guy Waites will be taking part and believes the Worldstar is "vital for British sailing and racing to actually have a round the world race start and finish from the UK."

He added: "Any club that facilitates that kind of opportunity, we should be shouting from the rooftops. I'm really pleased that it's the Royal Western [Yacht Club]."