Final Countdown to the MailASail Azores and Back Race (AZAB) 2023

Azores and Back Race (AZAB) start in 2019 © Ed Wildgoose

It's not long until competitors from all over the world set sail from Falmouth for the exhilarating MailASail Azores and Back race on Saturday June 3rd 2023.

The AZAB (Azores and Back) race was the inspiration of the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club, created in 1975 in response to the wish for an ocean race that started and finished in the UK. Run every four years since, it is the world's largest UK-run ocean yacht race this year.

The race is for all comers, from experienced racers sailing high-performance boats to local cruisers. Competing yachts will race over 1,200 miles to the Azores island, Sao Miguel, mainly sailed single handed or in crews of two. Once there, competitors enjoy some rest, restocking and much-deserved partying before racing the second leg back to Falmouth, in the hope of being first over the finishing line or first on handicap.

Final preparations are under way as an international fleet of sailors from as far away as Australia begin to arrive in port for the start on 3rd June. Excitement and nerves are rapidly building both amongst the 40+ boats and at the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club. Over 100 Club volunteers are involved, both afloat and ashore, to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible - essential when the safety of competitors is involved.

The event's title sponsor is once again MailASail, specialists in coastal and offshore communications including Wi-Fi, 4G and satellite connectivity satellite communications, joined this time by local sponsors Mainbrace, St Austell Brewery and Fal River.

It's going to be a wonderful sight as everyone lines up on the start in the Carrick Roads, and spectators can witness the event which leaves at 12 noon on Saturday 3rd June. Great places to watch from ashore are Pendennis Headland, Castle Drive, St Mawes Castle, and St Anthony Headland. For those watching afloat, please ensure you keep well clear of the starting boats - there will be marshals to guide you.

You can also keep track of competitors throughout the race via Yellow Brick trackers and AIS, see live updates and social streams online - visit www.azab.co.uk

More information about the race is available there, including photos of all the boats to look out for, competitor profiles and the full story of how the AZAB race began.