International yachtsman and world record holder Ross Hobson has teamed up with new sponsors and his record breaking boat, Mollymawk, to take on the Atlantic in a new challenge.
On the 29th October Ross and Mollymawk (renamed for this race, “Ideal Stelrad”) will begin their toughest challenge to date when they compete in the 3,500 mile, single handed “Route du Rhum”. The course will take them from St Malo, France, across the Atlantic to Guadeloupe in the Caribbean. 85 yachts have so far signed up for the race, which is one of the most famous in yachting history. The 2006 race will see the largest starting line up for thirty years. Recent winners include Ellen MacArthur and Kingfisher in 2002, completing the course in 13½ days. 29 multihulls will take part; 5 of them in Ross’s class. Eight nationalities are so far taking part with skippers from as far away as the USA and Canada taking on the competitors from Belgium, France, Switzerland and the UK. For more information about the race please visit www.routedurhum-labanquepostale.com
The major sponsors of Ross Hobson and Ideal Stelrad are the Caradon Group, international manufacturers of boilers, radiators and other heating and lifestyle products.
“I am very excited about this new challenge,” commented Ross. “I would like to thank all of our sponsors and particularly the Caradon Group for their support. The boat is in great shape and we look forward to taking on the Atlantic and the best of Europe’s sailors when the race begins at the end of October.”
With many thousands of miles at the helm of Ideal Stelrad, Ross Hobson is no stranger to long distance sailing. As well as being World Record holders for the Atlantic crossing between Bermuda to Plymouth, the pairing won the 50ft multihull class in the gruelling Transat Jacques Vabre Race 2003 and were winners overall in the double-handed Round Britain & Ireland Race 2002.
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