The event was held for the first time in September last year in memory of British sailor Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson who was killed in an accident when training with an America’s Cup boat in San Francisco Bay. More than 30,000 sailors from over 700 sailing clubs around the world took part. At UYC 56 boats raced in the event and helped to get Bart’s Bash into the Guinness Book of Records.
It was such a success that it has become an annual event, raising funds for The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation. The Bart’s Bash race at Ullswater will take place at 11am on Sunday, September 20, with all boats racing together on a handicap basis over a set course length.
Members will be fundraising throughout the weekend and the special race will be followed by tea and cakes. The UYC version of ‘America’s Cup racing’ will be held on the afternoon.