The Royal Southampton Yacht Club has announced the title sponsorship of the forthcoming Southampton to Santander Double Handed race to be Sail Ventures Ltd, builders of the Owen Clarke designed Class 40 yacht the ‘Express 40’. In collaboration with the Real Club Maritimo de Santander, the race has been appropriately named The Southampton – Santander Express 2007.

Starting on Saturday 30 June 2007, the challenging 510 mile course will take competitors from the Solent, outside Ushant and across the Bay of Biscay to Santander in northern Spain. The race is expected to take about four days and the RCMS will host a prizegiving dinner on Friday 6 July.

Offshore racer Paul Metcalf of Sail Ventures shares a passion for fast shorthanded offshore sailing and is delighted to be part of this event. He said: “We are very excited about this; there is a close fit between the Express 40 and the kind of sailor who takes part in RSYC Double Handed Offshore Racing, and we are confident this deal will benefit the sponsor, the club and the competitors alike.”

Rear Commodore Sailing for the RSYC, David Giddings, said: “This is a long offshore race that is within the grasp of amateur double handed racers and not to be missed. The sponsorship package, specifically developed for the benefit of competitors, will further enhance the experience.”

Inspired by the Brixham to Santander race which took place until 2001, this event builds on the RSYC’s highly successful Double Handed series in the UK.

To join the race go to www.rsyc.org.uk/racing