Three 67ft yachts in the race

More than 500 Navy, Army and Air Force personnel will race three 67ft yachts in 12 different legs, 14 per boat,33,980 miles around the world in the first Tri-Service global race for 11 years.

They start off Southsea Castle on 11th July organised by the Joint Service Adventurous Sail Training Centre (JSASTC) in Gosport, Exercise TRANSGLOBE has the Royal Patronage of HRH The Duke of York.

The aim of TRANSGLOBE is to provide members of all three British Armed Forces with the opportunity to develop their personal qualities and team skills in a challenging environment that will test their physical and mental stamina, their courage and help them develop self confidence and powers of leadership. Every other leg is being used as an adventurous training exercise whilst the emphasis on the other legs will be to encourage a spirit of Corinthian competition between the Services.

It is 11 years since the last tri-services Transglobe sailing event took place and the boats used then were Nicholson 55s. Offshore sailing is arguably the most demanding environment in which anyone can test their mental and physical toughness by getting the best out of their boat to arrive safely at their destination.

The route planning has positioned the yachts so that offshore racing crews can represent their respective Services in the prestigious Rolex Sydney – Hobart Race starting in December 2009 (Leg 6) and Antigua Race Week (Leg 10) in April 2010 during which they will be competing against the cream of the world’s professional and amateur yacht racing fraternity.

The qualifier for the Sydney-Hobart Race will be a tri-service offshore race using the three TRANSGLOBE yachts in May 2009. This is when the Joint Services Sailing Associations will be selecting their racing crews.

The official technical clothing supplier are Gill and also Crewsaver.

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