Bart’s Bash, the global sailing race organised by the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, has set the new Guinness World Record for the Largest Sailing Race (24 hours).
A total of 30,717 participants took to the water, many for their first time, around the world, for the first ‘Bart’s Bash‘ on 21 September 2014.
The sailing race was a fundraising event in memory of Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson, the Olympic sailor who died in a training accident in May 2013, raising £290,621.40 for the youth sailing charity, the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation (ASSF).
Initially organisers had hoped for 50 clubs to sign up with 2,000 participants in the UK. As the day drew closer it became apparent that clubs all over the world were using the opportunity to get as many people sailing as possible on the day, involving some 768 participating venues and more than 7,000 volunteers.
Event manager for Bart’s Bash, Tim Anderton said: ‘At no point could we ever have expected over 500 clubs in over 60 countries to embrace the idea of getting on the water, racing, having fun and celebrating everything Bart stood for.’
A video showing the highlights of the day:
Tributes pour in for Andrew Simpson following America’s Cup training tragedy
The Olympic gold and silver medallist has died at the age of 36
Bart’s Bash set to honour Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson
All aboard a nation-wide racing day for charity
Andrew Simpson’s sons prepare for Bart’s Bash
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