The Original Single-handed Transatlantic Race, the world’s oldest solo ocean challenge, starts from Plymouth this bank holiday Monday (25 May). HRH Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh will be starting the race at 12:30 from the Trinity House Vessel, Galatea.

In spite of the stormy weather over recent days many of the yachts taking part have arrived in Queen Anne’s Battery Marina and their skipper’s are busy making final preparations to their boats in readiness for the expected upwind battle to Newport.

One of the yachts with the furthest to travel was Rubicon a 44ft yacht, which arrived 2 days ago from the race finish port of Newport Rhode Island. The skipper Peter Bourke has only 6 days to get ready for the return journey.

Hundreds of people are expected to line the foreshore to witness the start, where 34 confirmed entries from eight different nationalities are set to leave Plymouth Sound. About half the fleet is from Great Britain, five are from Italy, and four each are from Holland and France. Also represented are Ireland, Germany, Austria and the US.

The historical race is organised by the Royal Western Yacht Club who have run it every four years since 1960. The race is now aimed at mainly amateur sailors who wish to take on the North Atlantic single-handedly, or aspiring professionals seeking to take their first steps in a solo ocean-racing career.

Every yacht will be fitted with a satellite tracker so the progress of the race can be watched on the race website. To follow the fleet visit www.ostar2009.com .