With fewer than 200 days until the start of the 2012 Round Britain Race (RB12), preparations are now well underway. Taking place for the first time on the 21 June 2012, this unique marathon event will see 50 boats, 50 cars and 50 aircraft compete simultaneously against each other in their disciplines.

Round Britain Beaverbrook Trophy

The Round Britain Beaverbrook Trophy



The race itself comprises 10 gruelling legs over ten days, starting and finishing at the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy. And unlike its predecessors in 1969, 1984 and 2008, the 2012 RYA Powerboat race will entail a complete circumnavigation of Britain, with the longest day being a 238-nautical mile leg from Swansea to Liverpool. That makes it the toughest and most arduous endurance powerboat race not just in the RYA calendar but also in the world.

Little surprise then that the organisers are offering a £35,000 cash purse for the overall winner of the 2012 Sea Race, plus the beautiful Beaverbrook Round Britain Trophy (pictured). This is to be presented by Lord Beaverbrook whose family have long been involved in the most prestigious echelons of international powerboat racing.

The Sea Race is run under the auspices of the RYA and RB12 Director, Hugo Ambrose, is eager to ensure that the event leaves a positive legacy for powerboat racing: “As organisers, we are keen to put marathon powered racing on a professional and sustainable footing and to raise the level of reward for successful competitors. We hope the race for the ‘purse’ will add further challenge to what is already one of the biggest endurance tests for the teams and their powerboats”

Lord Beaverbrook was equally upbeat about the event: “I am delighted to offer the Beaverbrook Round Britain Trophy to the overall winner of Round Britain Sea 2012. This edition of the race will be particularly exciting, as it offers the competitors in the Sea Race the chance to compare their endeavours with those in the air and on the roads. I am looking forward to meeting all of the competitors at the end of this unique marathon”. For more details see the official site of the 2012 Round Britain Race.

 

Written by: Alex Smith
Alex Smith is a journalist, copywriter and magazine editor with a long history in boating and a happy addiction to the water. He’s worked on boats, lived on boats, bought boats, sold boats and – when he’s not actually on board a boat – he can generally be found in his Folkestone office, tapping away at the computer and gazing out to sea.