THOUSANDS of sailors around the world took to the water for Bart's Bash.

More than two hundred sailors at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) took part in the charity race, which was organised by the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation.

One hundred and sixty boats sailed from the academy in Portland in memory of Andrew 'Bart' Simpson, who tragically died in a sailing accident while training for the America's Cup in California in May last year.

The event is hoping to beat the Guinness World Record for the largest ever sailing race, which currently stands at a total participation of 2,500 boats.

Iain Percy, who was Andrew Simpson's Olympic sailing partner and close friend, co-founded the foundation and said the response for Bart's Bash was 'overwhelming'.

He said: “The response we've had worldwide is overwhelming. None of us imagined it would be this big, it's just grown and grown.”

“Those who knew Bart as well as we did know why that is the case, he was loved by so many people around the world. He was always so kind and generous.

“He just had hundreds and thousands of friends and they've all come together. It's unbelievable. I don't think it's happened ever in any other sport, it's very, very special.”

Percy competed in the race alongside Bart's four-year-old son Freddie Simpson.

More than 18,000 sailors took part in the race worldwide, raising more than £155,000 for the foundation.

Also racing at the WPNSA was fellow Olympic medallist Paul Goodison.

He said: “The biggest thing that strikes home for me is that it's not just a UK thing, Bart was obviously a massive figure in UK sailing because of his Olympic achievements, but just the amount of friends he had worldwide.

“I remember when it was first thought up, and we were trying to think of how it would be done and the logistics of it all, and how we would get as many people involved as we can, and I never really thought it would be as big as it is.”

Event manager of Bart's Bash, Tim Anderton, said the event will be happening again.

He said: “We're really keen to do Bart's Bash again. The race offers a chance to getting new people into sailing, making the sport more vibrant, and introducing the sport we love to more people who don't always get the opportunity.

“Bart was all about the kids, all about getting them into the sport and keeping them in it as well and giving them a lifetime opportunity as well. He inspired a lot of people in our country but also in the international community. It's been a real privilege to be involved with.”

Tim said the money raised from Bart's Bash will help to inspire and support young sailors, aged five to 24, nationwide.

“The foundation is a national organisation so we're going to team up with national organisations and governing bodies to make the greatest impact that we can." He said.

“We want to offer kids sustainable pathways to go forwards into sailing. If they want to race, become instructors or get into the industry of building boats we want to be able to support them in doing that.”

The foundation has set the date for Bart's Bash 2, which will be taking place on Sunday, Sepetember 20, 2015.

To see more pictures from Bart's Bash click here