A new sponsor has come on board for Sir Chay Blyth’s Challenge Transat race. BG Group, an international natural gas company, is to sponsor a yacht in the race, which runs from Southampton to Boston and back. Six 72ft yachts will take part, each crewed by paying volunteers. The event starts from Ocean Village on 25 August.

This is the first time that BG Group has worked with Challenge Business and sponsored a yacht. Simon Walker, managing director of Challenge Business, said: “Having BG Group on board is excellent news for the race and adds another dimension to our sponsoring community… We’re particularly delighted to welcome BG Group as they’re a new sponsor to the existing portfolio and are also sponsoring a yachting event for the first time which is excellent for the sailing industry as a whole.”