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| Solo sailors set for Transat test | Solo sailors set for Transat test |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| More than 20 sailors from around the world are gathering on the starting line for the 2008 Transat yacht race. | |
| The solo sprint across the Atlantic from Plymouth, Devon, includes two skippers from South West England. | |
| Alex Bennett, from Devon, is sailing the 40ft (12m) yacht Fujifilm. Steve White from Dorset will be at the helm of the 60ft (18m) Spirit of Weymouth. | Alex Bennett, from Devon, is sailing the 40ft (12m) yacht Fujifilm. Steve White from Dorset will be at the helm of the 60ft (18m) Spirit of Weymouth. |
| The finish line is in Boston, USA. The 2,800 mile race is expected to take about 21 days. | The finish line is in Boston, USA. The 2,800 mile race is expected to take about 21 days. |
| The Transat was the world's first solo yacht race and takes place every four years. | The Transat was the world's first solo yacht race and takes place every four years. |
| It began in Plymouth in 1960 after a bet of half a crown between Sir Francis Chichester and Blondie Hasler to see who could race the Atlantic the fastest. | It began in Plymouth in 1960 after a bet of half a crown between Sir Francis Chichester and Blondie Hasler to see who could race the Atlantic the fastest. |
| This year, the route will take competitors northwards, where they may have to contend with icebergs and fog. | This year, the route will take competitors northwards, where they may have to contend with icebergs and fog. |