THE AZORES & BACK RACE

Every four years Falmouth hosts a classic ocean race that's open to all; Angela Rice speaks to competitors about its demands and rewards

- Angela Rice

 Some 38 boats from six European countries set off on 3 June to race 1,200 miles of open sea to the Azores and then race back to Falmouth a week later.

This was the 13th Azores and Back (AZAB) race since the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club in 1975 devised this fouryearly, Category 1, two-leg handicap race between Falmouth and Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island, one of the nine Azores Archipelago Islands that lie in the northeastern Atlantic.

At 2,500 miles overall and starting and finishing in the UK, the race is popular, in part because it demands less commitment in time and expense than other ocean races. The race is for all-comers, from experienced racers sailing high-performance boats to local cruisers in need of a challenge.

The competing yachts ranged from 31 to 60ft in length, with two multihulls and one IMOCA taking part as well as a mix of single- and doublehanded boats. The yachts spanned five IRC classes.

At the start, the fleet crossed the east-west line between Falmouth’s Pendennis Point and Black Rock beacon in glorious sunshine. The flotilla circling the assembly area – including the Falmouth lifeboat – provided a carnival-spirit send-off. With the Manacles east cardinal mark on port tack and 1,200 miles of open sea ahead, most competitors hung back, only accelerating to the line after their class signal, with just a few racing starts.

‘We knew we would be trailing others for most of the race, so we decided a great start would be a morale boost!’ noted Graham Rice, sailing aboard Chimaera of Falmouth.