The 13 IMOCA 60s and 11 Class40 boats competing in The Artemis Transat 2008 are now all berthed at Sutton Harbour, Plymouth having arrived over the weekend.

The Race Village has come alive with the arrival of the fleet and thousands of visitors over the Bank Holiday weekend have already been through the village taking in the spectacle of these high-tech ocean racers and all the exhibits within the village, as well as enjoying the bars and restaurants down in the Barbican. Six boats took part in the prologue delivery race from Douarnenez, France to Plymouth leaving at 1800hrs on Saturday (3.5.08) with the IMOCA 60 boats of PRB, Foncia and Brit Air arriving this morning, enjoying a bit more breeze than was forecasted a few days ago, and the three Class40s of Appart'City, Beluga Shipping and Prevoir Vie followed shortly.

The public have arrived en masse to view the 24-strong race fleet, the Tall Ship 'Earl of Pembroke', the legendary Gipsy Moth IV and the Ocean Racing Exhibition that forms part of the education programme. The entertainments package is extensive with street entertainers plus the inaugural Barbican International Jazz and Blues Festival. The Race Village is open daily from 10.00am through to next Sunday, 11th May.
Yachting Monthly, 6 May 2008