大象传媒

Plymouth has always hosted the Transat yacht race, ever since the very first one in 1960, and it seemed the two were inseparable.

Right from the start, Plymouth was chosen as host port for the single-handed transatlantic race.

So it came as a shock when it was announced the city would have to fight for the right to stage the 2008 race.

Plymouth faced competition from Liverpool (the 2008 City of Culture), Portsmouth, Southampton and Cowes.

After a tense wait, the organisers, Dame Ellen MacArthur's company OC Events, announced in August 2007 that Plymouth had won and the city's links with the Transat would continue.

The 2004 Transat village in Plymouth

Since then, it's been all systems go at Sutton Harbour, where the competing boats will be moored. It will be a spectacular interactive venue for everyone to enjoy.

Some 40 boats are expected to take part in the race, also being called The North Atlantic Alone. They will be competing in two classes - 60 and 40.

Some of the most famous racing yachtsmen are taking part, including two previous Vend茅e Globe winners Michel Desjoyeaux and Vincent Riou.

Britain's Mike Golding on Ecover has also entered in the IMOCA 60 class.

The racers face some tough conditions between Plymouth and their destination, Boston, USA.

They'll be following in the footsteps of the inaugural race winner in 1960, Sir Francis Chichester. He took 40 days to reach New York on board Gipsy Moth III.

Afterwards he said: "It was like trying to reach a doorway with a man in it aiming a hose at you."

In 2004, the fastest yachts completed the 2,800 miles inside 10 days.

Conrad Humphreys during the 2004 Transat race

The Transat is the oldest solo race in history, and its return to Plymouth is a major boost for the city.

Plymouth's Transat bid was spear-headed by local yachtsman Conrad Humphreys, who finished 5th in his class in the 2004 race.

He said this is a great opportunity for Plymouth to put on a good show: "This is the home of the race.

"This isn't just about 2008 - it's about 2012 and 2016. If it had gone from us this year, getting it back would have been very hard."

Also backing Plymouth's bid were the Sutton Harbour Group, the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) and the Royal Navy.

Nigel Godefroy, managing director of the Sutton Harbour Group, said: "Winning The Transat 2008 is a spectacular coup for the city."

You can listen to 大象传媒 Spotlight's Natalie Cornah interviewing Conrad Humphreys by using the audio link.