The 540-mile Biscay Challenge yacht race from the Solent to northern Spain, which starts next week, is shaping up to provide some of the keenest racing in the Royal Southampton Yacht Club’s racing calendar.

Twenty-two yachts and 44 yachtsmen are due to cross the start line in the Solent in nine days’ time for an offshore race which will take them, down the English Channel to pass Ushant and the Chaussée de Sein, then south across the Bay of Biscay to Hondarribia, the picturesque Spanish port on the French border, in the heart of the Basque country.

The race is run every two years and is expected to take four days but all yachts need to reach Hondarribia by mid-afternoon on Friday, June 19 to be classified among the finishers.

The race, with just two people aboard each yacht, is organised by the Royal Southampton Yacht Club, the pioneer of competitive two-handed racing in the UK and the organiser of the country’s predominant double-handed series which runs throughout the summer.

“The number of boats entered for this Biscay race this year is a record,” said honorary race director, Roger Townsend, a former commodore of the Royal Southampton.

Yachts and their crews are expected to arrive at Ocean Village during the next week ready for the start of the race on Saturday, June 13. The first is already in the Club’s pool which is within the Ocean Village marina in the city.

Crews have to submit their boats for inspection the day before starting the race.

In the meantime Ander Echabe, assistant race director, has been tying up final arrangements at the race destination.

Spain’s leading single handed yachtsman Unai Basurko who was forced to retire from the latest Vendée Globe, but finished third in the last Velux5Oceans race, is to donate a prize to The Yacht of the Race.

Said Mr Townsend: “This will given to the yacht which has outperformed in some way during the race, which may not be the actual winner.”

The Hondarribia Sailing Club is planning to host a barbecue for the teams on the Thursday evening after competitors arrive, the local Mayor is planning a reception in he town hall and a prizegiving dinner is planned for Friday.

Andy Hill, who won the 2007 similar race to Santander, with his French crew Mathieu Lathoud, will be defending his title in a J105, Only Just. “I have been to Hondarribia a few times. It is a lovely venue. I had the best tuna ever in a bar there. Matt and I are looking forward to it already,” he said.