Ocean Hero Pete Goss Takes On Falmouth’s 2027 AZAB Race

A sailor who once turned back into a Southern Ocean hurricane to save another competitor’s life is now throwing his weight behind Falmouth’s biggest ocean race.

Pete Goss MBE has joined forces with Falmouth’s Azores and Back race team, with plans to reshape the 2027 AZAB Challenge into something far bigger than a sporting contest.

A Cornish race with global reach

Organised by the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club, the two-leg, 2,400-nautical-mile race between Falmouth Harbour and Ponta Delgada in the Azores has been part of the ocean sailing calendar since the 1970s. The 2027 edition aims to build on that heritage by showcasing Cornwall to an international audience while staying true to its Corinthian roots.

Pete and co-skipper Dave Summers are supporting the volunteer-led organising committee, bringing ideas to strengthen the race’s links with communities, schools and businesses across the county.

📷Pete Goss & Dave Summers will be supporting the RCYC’s AZAB team and taking up the Challenge of the next race in June 2027. Photo – Mark Lloyd

From storm rescue to AZAB ambassador

Pete first came to global attention during the 1996-97 Vendée Globe solo round-the-world race, when he turned back into a Southern Ocean storm to rescue fellow competitor Raphaël Dinelli from a life raft, sailing more than 100 miles into hurricane-force conditions. He was awarded France’s Légion d’Honneur, appointed MBE by Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and named World Sailor of the Year for his actions.

“I’ve always wanted to compete in the AZAB, it’s one of Britain’s few remaining true ocean races and a uniquely Cornish event,” Pete said.

“What’s exciting about 2027 is the opportunity to build on that and connect it directly with our local communities, so AZAB is not just something people watch, but something they feel part of.”

📷Credit: Ed Wildgoose, HiFly Photography

A new look for race weekend

The race start will move to a Sunday, opening up the Saturday for an “open day” celebration. Plans are underway for people and organisations to “adopt” competing yachts and engage with the boats and crews before they leave the pontoons and throughout the race.

Pete and Dave will be racing in their Cornwall-built catamaran.

RCYC Race Director Sarah Hancock said, “Pete Goss and Dave Summers are bringing an inspiring and ambitious energy to the event, developing it into something that belongs not just to the competitors but is a much wider shared experience.

“They’ll be competing in their Cornwall-built catamaran, offering a high-profile platform for brand visibility and local and international engagement throughout the race, creating a real sense of celebration in the lead-up to race day.”

📷The DMS Catamaran Photo: Lloyd Images

170 entries from 15 countries

Interest is already running high, with more than 170 expressions of interest received from 15 countries. The final fleet will be capped at 60 boats to preserve the Corinthian spirit of challenge, camaraderie and adventure.

Acting Commodore Chris Davis said, “We’ve been delighted by the level of enthusiasm so far and to have Pete Goss and Dave Summers on board is a real bonus. It’s fantastic to see returning competitors alongside a new generation of sailors keen to take on the AZAB challenge for the first time.”

The race starts from Falmouth in June 2027. Each yacht will carry a tracking system, letting supporters follow competitors in real time across the Atlantic to the Azores and back. The race is open to solo sailors and double-handed crews.

Falmouth Harbour CEO Miles Carden said, “This is exactly the kind of event Falmouth Harbour does really well and we’ll make sure the AZAB fleet and her crews feel right at home as they prepare for their start.

“The 2027 AZAB will build into a great spectacle on the water, with a real special Falmouth send-off, and I look forward to seeing a large flotilla of local boats escorting the fleet out of the Harbour.”

Sponsorship up for grabs

The RCYC is currently looking for a title sponsor and a wider network of partners. Sponsorship packages for the AZAB 2027 race are available, with full details of RCYC events and activities at royalcornwallyachtclub.org.

📷The DMS Catamaran Photo: Lloyd Images

📷Credit: Ed Wildgoose, HiFly Photography

📷Pete Goss MBE and Dave Summers will race their new Cornish-built Dazcat “DMS Vinyl” in next year’s AZAB Challenge. The two-leg, 2,400 mile race is organised and hosted every four years by the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club – with an outward-facing, community-powered focus for 2027. Photo – Mark Lloyd.