The Artemis Transat

The second OSTAR in 1964 was the launch pad for one the most influential figures in the history of single-handed sailing, the development of sailing as a sport in France and in offshore race boat design. In 1960 Francis Chichester had managed the crossing in 40 days, then 32 year-old French naval lieutenant Eric Tabarly won the 1964 race taking just 27 days aboard his 44ft ketch Pen Duick II.


Publicity from the first OSTAR turned the second race into a media circus with a number of the 15 competitors signed up by national newspapers. Tabarly, the only Frenchman in the race, was the sailor's favourite for the race with the advantage of sailing the largest boat and the only one purpose-built for the event. He had also carried out an in depth study of the weather and physically was very fit. Arriving in Newport, Rhode Island he had no prior knowledge of his win - he had not used his radio during the race - and almost as a passing comment let slip that his self-steering system had only worked for the first 8 days of the 27 days it took him to complete the course.


At a depressed time in France, Tabarly became an overnight hero and for his endeavour was presented with his country's highest honour, the Legion d'Honneur by President de Gaulle. France’s love affair with solo offshore racing had just begun.