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Westaway prepares for Azores and Back Race

Five sets of sails from Westaway's sail loft are to be tested across the Atlantic as the Azores and back race starts from Cornwall.
The race – which starts from Falmouth on Saturday (June 2) will have 41, primarily amateur teams taking part in the 2,500 mile course, five of which will have sails designed and made by Westaway Sails based in Ivybridge.
The race is held every four years and is hosted by the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club and this year there is a huge diversification of yachts from a Belgium entry sailing a Pogo 40 – a fast open 40ft boat – to a slower, more traditional Rustler 31.

Since the finish of the last race in 2003, Westaway Sails has been working with its teams, designing a technologically advanced spinoa – a cross between an upwind genoa and a downwind spinnaker.

Head of the sail loft, John Pollard from Torquay, said: “This sail is still in its infancy – it’s basically a very low stretch spinnaker with battens for close wind sailing. It’s considerably larger than a genoa and in testing has shown increased of 20 per cent which is huge in yacht racing terms – conventionally five per cent is significant if the predicted conditions prevail. We’re hopeful of some good results.”

The sail loft has been working with previous race winner Ras Turner, combining their grand prix and blue water cruising products to provide fast and durable sails for the race. Final checks have been made and the loft team will now be avidly following the race.

The course is in two legs with the majority of yachts usually taking between seven to 10 days to reach the Azores allowing competitors a week or so to relax and restock before the return passage.

The race is held at four yearly intervals, dating back to 1975, with the Azores thought to be the ideal destination as the distance provides a real challenge for the sailors while allowing them to take just a month off to complete the race.