The recently announced Petit Bateau Round the Isle of Wight race which starts from Cowes on 6 May is the latest in a series of innovative singlehanded races organised by Petit Bateau over the last three years and is open to monohulls and multihulls from 25-40ft, with a special class for Mini Transat yachts.

Paul Peggs, race director and accomplished Mini-Transat and Round Britain sailor, anticipates an enthusiastic entry from the shorthanded community on the south coast and expects 30 to 40 boats will start the first edition of this challenging new event.

All Petit Bateau events are open races to encourage development in shorthanded design and techniques. IRC / MOCRA certificates are not required but corrected times will be calculated for those who have them.

Petit Bateau Solo Race Week that starts from Weymouth on 19 August has stopovers at Alderney, Guernsey, Treguier and Fowey before finishing in Mylor and so far 25 yachts have signed up.

For more details on both events go to petitbateau.org.uk.