Organisers of this year?s Ostar transatlantic yacht race have pulled off two major coups.
Not only will Sir Francis Chichester?s original yacht Gipsy Moth III ? which he used to win the first ever transatlantic race in 1960 ? be on the starting line, but the race will be officially started by Val Howells, the only surviving competitor from that year.
The 2800 mile race, between Plymouth and Newport, Rhode Island, was launched by the Royal Western Yacht Club in 1960, when it was won by Sir Francis Chichester, who arrived 40 days, 12 hours and 30 minutes after leaving Plymouth.
Since then, the race has been run by the RWYC every four years.
Following the 2000 event, the decision was taken to divide the fleet into two, with the professional sailors taking part in last years Transat race and the amateurs taking part in the next months officially titled Faraday Mill Ostar.
Race director Chris Arscott, of the Royal Western Yacht Club, said club members wanted to make sure that the events return to its roots was celebrated in a suitable way.
?This is a dream come true really, having not one but two symbolic features to the event,? he said.
?Val is a super man.. he is also the only survivor of the 1960 race.
He also came third in the 1964 race and uniquely took part in the 1976 race with his son.
?Having the original Gipsy Moth is also a fantastic achievement.
?The two features are perfect for the re-launch of the race.?
Gipsy Moth III will join the 40 competitors from seven countries including the United States , France, England, Italy and Holland on the start line off Plymouth on May 29th , but it will not take part in the race.
Val Howells, aged 79, will fire a start cannon from the trinity House boat ?The Patricia? at 12.50pm for the multi-hull fleet and 1pm for the mono-hull fleet. All the boats will leave Queen Ann?s Battery at about 11am to make their way to the start line.
Thousands of people are expected to watch the historic event from vantage points around Plymouth Sound.

Please visit www.faradaymillostar2005.co.uk