The largest ocean race to leave Great Britain in 2011 will leave Falmouth on 4th June. The Azores & Back yacht race began in 1975 and is held every four years, organised by the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club in Falmouth and Club Naval in Punta Delgada in the Azores. 2011 will be the 10th anniversary of the race, and will see a record number of yachts taking part in due to the expansion of harbour facilities in the Azores. To date, 100 yachts, both single handed and with one crew have signed up for the 2011 race.

The race is open to Monohull yachts with a length overall from 9m to 18.5m. The course covers just less than 2500 miles of ocean, approximately 1220 miles on each leg. Open to single and double handed crews and held over a 45 day period, the yachts usually take seven to ten days to complete each leg allowing a week or so to relax and restock for the return passage.

The gun will be fired at Pendennis Castle to signify the start of the race at 1pm on 4th June 2011. There will be fun activities at the Castle for families, as well as an amazing view of the start of the race. Concessionary rates will apply on the day.

Good vantage points also include Pendennis Point and Cliff Road, where spectators will be able to see the various classes start at intervals, with the first turning mark close in to Falmouth Bay for spectators to see the start of the race at close quarters, as the boats set sail for the Azores.

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Saturday 4 June 2011 1:00pm 5:00pm