The Round Britain and Ireland Challenge, planned for later this year, has been rescheduled until Summer 2004.

The second race was launched after the huge success of the Round Britain Challenge held in Easter and the many requests to repeat the event, from those unable to get a place the first time around. To date there have been over 400 enquires from people wishing to take part.

The move to 2004 is aimed to help those who cannot get the time off this year when they have already used much of their 2003 leave allocation on other holidays.

‘It’s a cracking event, everybody involved in this year’s race had a fantastic time;’ explains Simon Walker, Challenge Business managing director. ‘One of the things that makes the race so popular is the fact that it can be done in your annual leave and by moving the race to the following year, most people will be able to get the time off. We would like to make it an annual event so that as many people as possible have the opportunity to race this challenging course.’

The Race is scheduled to start from the Solent on July 31st 2004 and will be raced in the Challenge 67′ Class Race fleet. The yachts are expected to take a little under two weeks to complete the 1850mile course.

For the first time, Challenge Business is considering inviting owners of its former 67′ Challenge Fleet to enter yachts in the event alongside their own yachts. Owners include the MOD, which Challenge Business has sold four of its 67′ fleet to over the past two years.

The ‘level playing field’ ethos would be maintained by the strict application of the 67′ Class Rules and pre and post event scrutineering. The crews would similarly be regulated with a maximum of two professional yachtsmen (ISaF Groups 3 and 2) on each yacht.

Challenge Business is still registering Crew Volunteers to compete in the race. A berth costs £3750, which includes full training, sailing suit, branding clothing, race insurance and invitations to functions.

Deborah Stevenson a Crew Volunteer in the Round Britain Challenge 2003 sums up the opportunity: ‘It’s been an absolutely fantastic race and if you want an experience like this it’s worth every penny. Everyone had mixed feelings coming up the Solent because, although it’s great to be back, it’s the end of a mini era.’

For further information and an application form to take part, visit www.challengebusiness.com/rbc