The Azores and Back (AZAB) Category 1 ocean yacht race will be starting in Falmouth at 12:00 pm on the 3rd of June 2023 setting up a busy summer in the harbour with several races scheduled, including The Richard Mile Cup, Falmouth Classics, The Cornish 100 - Offshore Powerboat Race, and the prestigious Tall Ships race.

The AZAB is a 2,400-mile ocean regatta that starts in Falmouth before the teams race to the port of Ponta Delgada, on the Azores Island of São Miguel. It can take 7/10 days to reach the island so those competing have a chance to enjoy the island for around a week before the return leg of the race back to Falmouth.

Royal Cornwall Yacht Club in Falmouth has organised the event every four years since the first race back in 1975 by the club's very own Colin Drummond who turned the wishes of an ocean race that started and finished in the UK into reality.

Organisers say there are now almost 50 entries built up of experienced sailors on high-performance boats and local cruisers looking for a challenge.

You can find a full lineup here: AZAB 2023 Entrants - AZAB

You can find more information on the official website: The MailASail Azores and Back Race

You can also get more information on the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club's website: AZAB - The Royal Cornwall Yacht Club