This is Cornwall --A new ocean yacht race will launch Plymouth's first Festival of Sail this week.
A fleet of the world's fastest multihulls will descend on Plymouth – Britain's Ocean City – bringing a feast of yacht racing, live entertainment and local food markets to the city's waterfront.
The nine trimarans competing in the inaugural Route des Princes were due to leave Dún Laoghaire outside Dublin in Ireland yesterday and arrive in Plymouth Sound tomorrow.
On Friday and Saturday the thoroughbred racers will compete in inshore racing in Plymouth Sound, under the natural grandstand of Plymouth Hoe.
The race is designed to celebrate local produce in each of the destinations it visits.
Local produce markets from June 27-30 on the historic Barbican and Sutton Harbour will feature locally sourced and produced Westcountry cheeses, sausages, chutney, jam, frozen yoghurt, ice cream, real ales, cider and ready-to-eat treats including mackerel baps as well as a hog roast.
On Saturday evening the fleet will depart on the last leg of the 3,045-mile race which ends in Morlaix, France, in time for the Between Land and Sea festival.
In Morlaix Bay they will join more than 200 traditional boats taking part in a regatta.
On land events will highlight local produce, cooking displays from Michelin star chefs and visits to traditional Breton farms.
In Plymouth the Festival of Sail will continue for another week. Saturday and Sunday sees the return of the P1 powerboats.
Armed Forces Day will be commemorated on June 29, featuring displays from current personnel, veterans, cadet forces, support agencies and charities. The programme includes flying displays, a veterans village, the Tamar Challenge Cup gun competition, stage music by Company B, the annual RAF and Allied Air Forces Monument service and a parade on the Hoe.
Live music concerts will keep the Hoe rocking on both evenings of the weekend.
The Festival of Sail will conclude with Plymouth Race Week (July 4-7).
The Route des Princes is a new concept, open to all multihulls of 50ft and over.
The race – promoted by Prince de Bretagne, a French producer of fresh vegetables – is a tour of Europe that focuses on regional and local produce.
Stopovers have been timed to coincide with local festivals and events.
The company said it decided to create a race that corresponded to its ethos, highlighting the relationship between land and sea. Reported by This is 20 minutes ago.