Overview
The Royal Western Yacht Club in Plymouth, UK announces the launch of a brand-new around the World yachting event, the WORLDSTAR.
This event is open to all solo and double handed boats between 35ft and 60ft that has done a 2000-mile qualification passage in the allotted timeframe. The course is to start from Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, around the 3 Great Capes to Port and return to Plymouth Sound for the finish.
Commodore and Race Director, Chris Arscott said, “As we know, The Royal Western Yacht Club was the very first club to introduce short-handed and fully crewed offshore and oceanic racing.
We want to complete the offering by launching this unique and ultimate test of seamanship to complement the OSTAR TWOSTAR and the RB&I, an opportunity for those sailors who want to take on the World in their own boat without the need to spend huge amounts of money.”
The RWYC have developed the WORLDSTAR to appeal to sailors who wish to complete a circumnavigation in their own boat, rating on IRC or non-rated, without the extensive qualification process.
Race ambassador and round the world sailor, Guy Waites said “This is for the adventurer, for the sailor who inspires to the ultimate challenge… short-handed, non-stop, around the world via the 3 great capes. An event with clear guidelines, an event to facilitate your dream in, quite possibly, the boat you already own.”
RWYC Vice Commodore Adrian Gray said, “It is our intention to help as many sailors as possible with the required experience to achieve their dream at a reasonable level of investment, with the confidence of knowing that one of the worlds most experienced oceanic yacht clubs is with them in their quest to conquer their ‘Everest’. This will become part of a very tough, 3-STAR Challenge, along with the OSTAR and TWOSTAR.”
The WORLDSTAR start is scheduled to be at 1200hrs BST on Saturday 26th September 2026.
To find out more and to register your note of intent please see HERE.
Follow The WorldStar on Facebook.
Further information and sponsorship opportunities please email rcoceanic@rwyc.org
Note of intent to qualify for discounted entry fees — NOW OPEN
1 January 2024 – Qualifying passage period starts
26 November 2025 – Discounted entry fee period ends
26 March 2026 – Net entry fee ends
26 June 2026 – Qualifying passage period ends
26 August 2026 – Submit IRC Certificates
26 August 2026 – Last date for 10% premium entry fee payment – Entry Closed
19 September 2026 – Boats Berthed in Plymouth
26 September 2026 – Event Start
Amendments & Notices
Entry List
“Project Worldstar”
The Royal Western Yacht Club was the very first club to introduce short handed and fully crewed offshore and oceanic racing. The corinthian approach to revive the Whitbread Round the World Race several years ago has since been a successful event as with the first solo Golden Globe Race (GGR) being such a well represented format at the corinthian level.
We see an opening.
The RWYC have developed the WorldSTAR to appeal to the adventurer who wishes to complete a circumnavigation in their own boat, rating on IRC or non-rated, with the only main restriction being the boat must be between 35-60ft. The entry can be solo or double handed, and will align with the OSR Cat 0 regulations.
It is our intention to help as many sailors with the required experience to achieve their dream at a reasonable level of investment with the confidence of knowing that one of the worlds most experienced oceanic yacht clubs is with them in their quest to concor their ‘Everest’.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Fancy joining a world-class sailing event that offers unrivalled global exposure for your brand? Don’t just watch from the shore – this could be your moment!
For Full Sponsor Pack – Click Here
