Plymouth to host leg of major new yacht race

The race will take place in June, starting from Valencia in Spain and calling at Lisbon in Portugal, Cork in Ireland, and Plymouth, with a final sprint leg to the finish at Morlaix in Brittany.

Plymouth to host leg of major new yacht race Route des Princes

Cllr Peter Smith, deputy leader of Plymouth City Council, announced during a meeting of the full council that the fleet of 50ft-plus yachts would come to the city.

The start of the race will be in Valencia on Sunday, June 9.

The fleet of super yachts is expected to reach Plymouth on Thursday, June 27.

The boats will leave the following day, reaching the Baie de Morlaix on Saturday, June 29.

The race will see a fleet of giants such as the 80ft Maxi yacht Prince de Bretagne, sponsored by the race organisers, the French vegetable producer of the same name.

Sarah O’Leary, the Plymouth Waterfront manager, said the fleet would include a number of Maxi yachts up to 105 feet long.

The race will coincide with Armed Forces Day (June 29) and the return of the P1 Powerboats, followed a few days later by Plymouth Race Week.

“We have a spectacular Festival of Sail to add to the city’s events calendar that should attract visitors from across the UK,” she said.

“The events will take place across the Hoe and historic Barbican and involve Yacht Haven, Queen Anne’s Battery and Sutton Harbour marinas.”