Count down on for Bart’s Bash and Clipper Race Yacht Club Red Socks Regatta

There are just three weeks to go until the start of the largest sailing event in the world, when sailing royalty and cruisers alike will compete against one another, all over the world on Sunday, 21 September, in the first ever ‘Bart’s Bash’ event.

Run by sailing clubs internationally on behalf of the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, the  Bart’s Bash fundraising regatta aims to set a new Guinness World Record for “The Largest Sailing Race in 24 Hours,” in multiple venues, all in memory of Gold and Silver Olympic medallist and America’s Cup sailor Andrew 'Bart' Simpson.

The Clipper Race Yacht Club (CRYC) is taking to the water to show its support on board nine of the twelve Clipper 70 yachts, the first time such a large number of the fleet will be competing since the Clipper Race Finish. The event is taking place during the CRYC’s annual Red Socks Regatta, named in honour of the club’s first Commodore, former Clipper Race skipper, Colin de Mowbray MBE, who was famous for always wearing red socks.

The CRYC are currently the top participating club internationally, with over 100 CRYC members signed up to take part. In a strong show of Clipper Race spirit, members span across seven editions of the race and include former Clipper Race skippers, Chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and special guest adventurer Neil Laughton, who will all race against one another on a local course, individually created in support of the charity.

Set up by Sir Ben Ainslie, Iain Percy OBE and Andrew's wife Leah in Andrew’s memory, the foundation aims to inspire the next generation of young people through sailing in the UK and around the world, a philosophy that the Clipper Race shares closely.

Looking ahead to the race, Sir Robin said: “Bart Simpson was one of the most fantastic British Olympic sailors in the last two decades, who gained medals for this country and tragically lost his life in the last America’s Cup competition.

“I am looking forward to taking part in this very deserving cause, to remember two great sailors in Bart and also Colin, help promote and support the growth of sailing.”

The Clipper Race Yacht Club, founded by the late Colin de Mowbray MBE, who created it as, “a logical way to bring some gentle order to this special group of adventurers,” was officially launched by the club’s President, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, and Vice President Sir Keith Mills in St Katharine Docks, London in April 2009 in order to bring like-minded former Clipper Round the World Race crew together to carry on their sailing adventures. With 840 members world-wide, the club of Clipper Race alumni annually share their experiences on and off the water, run entirely by an elected committee made up of former crew volunteers.

Before the competitors set off to make history, the race brief will include a charity auction.  Donations will be split between the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation and official Clipper 2013-14 Race charity, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.

Prizes have been donated by a range of heavyweight supporters, including Williams F1 offering the chance to win a private tour for 4 of the Williams F1 Classic car collection, Garmin products and an abundance of additional goodies.

To find out more about the Clipper Race Yacht Club, CLICK HERE

To find out more about Bart’s Bash, CLICK HERE