Challenge Business today announced that it will be working in association with the Daily Telegraph to launch a race around Britain and Ireland in 2003.

The non-stop Round Britain Challenge will be the only race of its kind, says Challenge Business, pitting identical yachts against one another, each carrying a professional skipper and mate accompanied by 16 crew made up of men and women from all walks of life and nationalities.

The inaugural race starts April 19 2003, Easter Saturday from the Solent on the South Coast. The yachts are due to return approximately two weeks and some 1,800 nautical miles later. It is designed to appeal to those looking to participate in a major yacht race using normal annual leave allowance.

The race will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Sir Chay Blyth’s win of the two-handed Round Britain and Ireland Race. Blyth, executive chairman of Challenge Business, won the race in 1978 with Rob James in Great Britain IV.