Petit Bateau race organisers have announced the course of the 4th edition of the Petit Bateau Solo race for 2007.

This 600-mile race, scheduled to take place from 14-28 July, will be set on the coast of South-West Ireland and include a mix of open water passage and coastal day races staged between ports renowned for their hospitality and fine food.

Paul Peggs, Race Director, commented: “One glance at the course is guaranteed to set the pulse racing, we have raised the level of difficulty this time to appeal to the cream of European solo sailors with open water, big waves, dramatic scenery, gourmet restaurants and great company.”

The race, which is open to experienced skippers in monohulls from 28-40ft, starts from Falmouth with a 185-mile first leg, rounding the Lizard and Land’s End, passing north of the Scillies across the Celtic sea to Kinsale in Ireland.

The second leg, following two or three nights of intensive recovery in Kinsale, takes the sailors south to Baltimore in a 40-mile sprint. The famous Fastnet Rock is the turning mark for stage three, a short 25-mile loop from Baltimore around Fastnet and Cape Clear Island and back to Baltimore for resuscitation.

Dawn on 21 July heralds the start of the most dramatic leg from Baltimore to Dingle with the Bull Rock and Great Skelligs dividing the 75-mile course into fun size stages.

The climax of the event is the longest leg, the 280 miles return to Mylor leaving Bishop rock in the Scillies to port. The yachts will be at sea for two nights and are expected to finish at Black Rock in the mouth of Falmouth harbour on Thursday 27 July. A hero party is planned for the Friday night at Mylor Yacht Club.

For more information about the race go to petitbateau.org.uk.