Azores and Back Yacht Race (AZAB)
The Azores and Back Race - 6th June, 2027
AZAB (The Azores and Back Race) is a Category 1 ocean yacht race consisting of two legs, each spanning 1,170 nautical miles, even if the rhumb line can be sailed.
This race was established in 1975 by Colin Drummond of the RCYC to fulfil the need for a UK-based ocean race that both starts and finishes in the UK. It has been held every four years since then, catering to a wide range of participants, from seasoned racers on high-performance vessels to local cruisers seeking a new challenge.
AZAB races feature five starts for Multihulls, Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, and Class 4, irrespective of being single or double-handed. Wind direction & strength in 2023 resulted in previous records being broken for the fastest passage on both legs – 4 days, 21 hours, 17 minutes, 48 seconds on the way out and 4 days, 11 hours, 33 minutes, 38 seconds for the return leg, both achieved by Will Claxton & Craig Brown in Superbigou, a Custom Imoca 60.
Pete Goss and 'DMS Vinyl'
The world renowned sailor, Pete Goss MBE, is competing in the 2027 AZAB race. He first came to global prominence during the 1996-97 Vendée Globe solo round-the-world race, when he turned back into a Southern Ocean storm to rescue fellow competitor Raphaël Dinelli from a life raft – sailing more than 100 miles into hurricane-force conditions. In recognition of his actions, he was awarded France’s Légion d’Honneur, appointed MBE by Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and named World Sailor of the Year.
Pete Goss is not only competing in the race, but also supporting Falmouth’s Azores and Back race team with ambitious plans to evolve the 2027 AZAB Challenge into a more outward-facing, community-powered and sponsored event – which stays true to its Corinthian roots.
“I’ve always wanted to compete in the AZAB – it’s one of Britain’s few remaining true ocean races and a uniquely Cornish event,” says Pete. “What’s exciting about 2027 is the opportunity to build on that and connect it directly with our local communities – so AZAB is not just something people watch, but something they feel part of.”
Image: Pete Goss and Dave Summers in their new Cornish-built Dazcat ‘DMS Vinyl’ © Mark Lloyd / www.lloydimages.com
Set Sail with us as Sponsor or Partner
The Royal Cornwall Yacht Club’s iconic four-yearly Azores and Back (AZAB) Race enters an exciting new era in 2027. Renowned as one of the world’s premier short-handed ocean races, we have ambitious plans to develop it into a more outward-facing event that showcases Cornwall to an international audience.
A new Sunday race start will pave the way for a public open day in Falmouth on the Saturday, bringing the excitement of race weekend to a wider audience. Through the ‘Adopt a Yacht’ initiative, schools and businesses will be able to connect with competing crews and follow their progress throughout the race via real-time yacht tracking.
Alongside the sporting challenge, AZAB 2027 presents a compelling commercial opportunity, with title sponsorship and partnership opportunities that offer both international visibility and genuine local impact.
