An introduction to the 11th edition of the race formerly known as OSTAR and Europe1 New Man STAR The singlehanded transatlantic race, formerly known as the OSTAR and more recently the Europe1 New Man STAR, is now being run by Offshore Challenges who have renamed it the Transat.

In its 40-year history, the race has attracted many of the world's greatest sailors and this year is no exception. The event is now truely professional and the cream of the world's 60ft and 50ft IMOCA and ORMA boats and their top level jockeys will be on the startline in Plymouth at 1400 on Monday 31 May for the 11th edition of this premier event.

From Plymouth the 40-strong international fleet will embark on its endurance test across the North Atlantic to Boston. Not only is the fleet likely to face strong head winds, big seas, fog and the strong opposing currents of the Gulf Stream but those who take a more direct northerly route (the Great Circle) risk the threat of ice. Not surprisingly this event is known by many as the ultimate challenge. The fleet will be based at the Plymouth Yacht Haven at Mount Batten in Plymouth from 22 May. Entry list

ORMA 60 Multi
Groupama Frank Cammas
Sodebo Thomas Coville
Geant Michel Desjoyeaux
Sergio Tacchini Karine Fauconnier
Fonica Alain Gautier
Gitana X Marc Guillemot
Fred Le Peutrec
Sopra Philippe Monnet
Mediatis Region Aquitaine Yves Parlier
Banque Covefi Steve Ravussin
Banque Populaire Lalou Roucayrol
TIM Progetto Italia Giovanni Soldini

IMOCA 60 Mono
Virbac Jean-Pierre Dick
Ecover Mike Golding
Objectif 3 Charles Hedrich
Motorola Conrad Humphreys
VMI Sebastien Josse
Sill Roland Jourdain
UUDS Herve Laurent
Bonduelle Jean Le Cam
Ex-Gonnagitcha Liardet Anne
Skandia Nick Moloney
PRB Vincent Riou
Pindar Mike Sanderson
Austria One Norbert Sedlacek
Chemines Poujoulat - Armor Lux Bernard Stamm
Pro-Form Marc Thiercelin
AT Racing Alex Thomson
Ex-Temenos Dominique Wavre

MULTI 50
Trilogic Eric Bruneel
Gifi Dominique Demachy
Crepes Whaou! Franck-Yves Escoffier
PIR 2 Etienne Hochede
Great American II Rich Wilson

MONO 50
Okami Jacques Bouchacourt
Gryphon Solo Joe Harris
Branec III Roger Langevin
Artforms Kip Stone

Yachting World, 18 May 2004