11th May 2008 - Transat fleet sets sail -
The Artemis Transat is the oldest single handed ocean race. The official start of the Artemis Transat 2008 is 2pm on Sunday 11th May 2008.
I left Plymouth Hoe and used the Torpoint Ferry to drive out to Penlee Point, South of Cawsand. I walked past Penlee Battery nature reserve and out onto the cliff path above Penlee Point.
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This gave me a grandstand view over Plymouth Sound to see the 13 IMOCA Open 60 and 12 Class 40 monohulls jockey for position South West of Plymouth Breakwater.
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It has been estimated that over 1000 small boats have accompanied the fleet out to the starting line. 15minutes before the start all engines are sealed by the race officials and with 4 minutes to go the shore crews disembark.
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At 2pm the starting canon is fired from HMS Argyll.
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The Class 40 boats pass North of HMS Argyll and the Open 60's pass to the South.
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Both fleets set sail for Boston and the finish line.
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Gitana Eighty will be the first Open 60 to pass the first gate at Eddystone Lighthouse 1hr 16m 17s after the start canon.
Spirit of Weymouth was the last to pass 2h 40m 25s after the start. Eddystone is 9.4 miles from the start.
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The fleet pass the square rigger The Earl of Pembroke.
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Exactly at 18.00hrs Gitana Eighty passed the second gate off the Lizard. Telecom Italia was the first Class 40 to pass.
10 May
Transat
Eve of the race
in Sutton Harbour
11 May
Transat
Fleet leaving Sutton Harbour
11 May
Transat
Fleet in Plymouth Sound
18 May
Battle of Stratton
Re-enactment
