TRANSATLANTIC sailor and Channel Islands Sports Personality of the Year Phil Sharp is launching a campaign to compete in the Transat next year.

Starting in Plymouth and finishing in Boston, the Transat is one of the most prestigious and gruelling single-handed transatlantic races, taking competitors upwind across the North Atlantic.

The race gives Sharp, who won the 40-foot class in the Route du Rhum last year, the chance to step into the Open 60-foot class – the Formula 1 of ocean racing.

‘This is a race I’ve always wanted to compete in, mainly because of the incredible challenge,’ said Sharp.

‘It’s one of the toughest races because you are battling usually against prevailing winds in the cold and windy North Atlantic, sometimes being so far north that you have to dodge icebergs! ‘Last year’s Route du Rhum was the French Transatlantic and this in effect is the English one, and given the increase in size and competition of the Open 60 class, it promises to be bigger and better than ever.’ The race, which is held every four years, starts in May and Sharp is now looking for a title sponsor in the hope that he can strive for a top result.

‘I don’t see any point in entering a big event like this unless I can do it properly and have the opportunity to win, so I am looking for a title sponsor to help cover the charter of a competitive boat and campaign expenses.

‘The great thing about this race is that it starts in the UK but attracts a very European entry list, including many French skippers, so good exposure is expected on both sides of the Channel.

‘It will give me the opportunity to start building strong relationships with businesses in Jersey and the UK which can benefit from the highest levels of sailing media nationally, on top of an already well-established international presence around this exciting formula.’ To find out more, e-mail phil@philsharpracing.com.