Barts Bash Sailing Race

This year a charity event will attempt to break a world record. The Barts Bash Sailing Race will seek to join together thousands of sailors from across the globe in a race that will have a number of goals.

When

The Barts Bash Sailing Race will take place on Sunday 21st September 2014. Clubs will need to complete their race at some point between 00:00 a.m. and 23:59 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time to qualify as part of the world record attempt.

What

The race will attempt to stage the largest ever sailing race. Competing clubs will each need to stage a sailing race – for as many classes of vessel as they wish – within the required time. The race must be at least one kilometre in length (this can mean several circuits of a shorter course – and last a minimum of 15 minutes. There must be a minimum of 25 participants in each race for the event to qualify as part of the world record attempt. The race must be stewarded and video taken of the start and finish of the race.

Where

Any sailing club anywhere in the world is able to take part in the Barts Bash Sailing Race if they meet the above criteria. Sailing clubs from across Europe, Britain, America and Australia are among those already signed up to take part.

Charity

The race is not only intended to set a new world record, but it will also be a major fundraising opportunity and serve to furnish the memory of the man for whom it is named. Participants are requested to pay a £5 donation in order to take part, as well as seek sponsorship for their team and vessel. The proceeds of the charity fundraising will be the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation. Andrew Simpson – whose nickname was ‘Bart’ – was a professional sailor who won both gold and silver medals at the Beijing and London Olympic Games. He died during a training accident in 2013, and the Foundation was established to honour his memory. The Foundation works with young people between the ages of 5 and 24 to improve their skills and seek careers within the maritime industries – with a particular focus on those who may not otherwise be able to afford to experience sailing.

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