A NEW world record has been set for the largest sailing race, organisers of Bart’s Bash have said.

The team behind the event, which was organised by the Weymouth and Portland based Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, is still processing the data and collecting evidence, but the number of boats who took part around the world means the existing record will be broken.

Richard Percy, CEO of the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, said: “The event has proved a huge success and we are delighted to announce that, subject to ratification, we have set the new Guinness World Record. And we have done it in style with 87 per cent of the results still to be processed.

“The turnout on September 21 exceeded our expectations and we are very happy that we provided a truly global opportunity for people to come together and enjoy sailing. We hope this event will become a regular feature in the global sailing calendar.”

See a video of clubs around the country taking part here

Event manager Tim Anderton said: “It has just been a fantastic success. So many clubs have emailed us to say that Bart’s Bash transformed their club and they got two or three times the typical turnout they would expect for a club race.”

The event has so far raised more than £200,000 for the charity, set up in memory of Andrew Simpson, who died last year while training for the America’s Cup.

Check out all the photos from Sunday's event here

Mr Anderton said the money will be used ‘sustainably’ to encourage youngsters not only to get into the sport, but to stay in and even consider careers in sailing.

“We want people not just to try sailing as a one off session, but to learn it. The sport offers careers in racing, in infrastructure or in things like boat building and repairs.”

Training schemes and apprenticeships at the Foundation, which is based at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, as well as at other centres around the country will be some of the ways the charity will look at spending the money.

Mr Anderton said: “We know sailing changes youngsters’ lives but it’s difficult to prove. We are looking at putting together case studies, that’s one of the longer term strategies.”

The charity is already in talks with youth groups in London and the North East and two international programmes are already up and running.

He added: “It is a fantastic amount of money to have raised and it will go towards inspiring kids to get into the sport.

“It’s a great message to get out there.”