South Hams sailor Henry Bomby has the wind in his sails following the announcement that Torbay has been named as the UK host venue of a prestigious offshore sailing race.

The Solitaire du Fig­aro – Eric Bompard Cachemire, a 2,000-mile solo race known as the unofficial world championships of solo offshore sailing, is coming to Torbay. The Solitaire is the ultimate annual sailing endurance race and brings only the very best offshore sailors to its start line.

A five-leg race, the penultimate leg from France to Torbay is likely to see the fleet head first to the notorious Fastnet Rock off the Irish Coast, before returning across the Irish Sea and into the English Channel.

Berry Head will come as a welcome sight for the increasingly tired sailors, arriving into Tor Bay on June 17 to conclude leg three.

Restarting the race on Sunday, June 21, the fleet will first battle round a lap of Tor Bay, before starting on the final push to the finish line in France.

Kingswear's own Solitaire du Figaro racer Henry Bomby looks forward to bring the race home.

In support of the town's bid, Henry and six other members of the Artemis Offshore Academy's British Solitaire du Figaro skippers paid a visit to Tor Bay on Thursday, November 27.

Henry and his fellow solo sailors joined representatives from Torbay Council, the mayor of Torbay Gordon Oliver and Bob Penfold, Commodore of the Royal Torbay Yacht Club to talk more about plans for the impending race and the importance of a UK stopover in 2015 with local media and guests.

For Henry, who is now gearing up for his fourth assault on the Solitaire du Figaro race, the visit to Tor Bay gave him the chance to talk with pride about the area he grew up in and still sails regularly – feeling like a child on a school trip wanting to tell any one who'll listen about his race and Torbay.

He said: 'It was fantastic to be sat talking about the Solitaire in the Royal Torbay Yacht Club last week, which I have sailed out of for the last two years with the Red Sailing Team.

'It was so exciting listening to all of the plans for Torbay in 2015, we're racing the Solitaire home to my own door step.

'Being in Torbay with my British team mates felt a bit like when you go on school trip to place you know really well, and all you want to do is show it off and tell anyone who will listen about it!

'I am so proud of where I am from and unbelievably proud and honored to be able to compete on the Figaro Circuit. Sailing into Torbay next June is going to be a really special moment.'

Henry and the rest of the Solitaire du Figaro fleet will arrive in Torbay on June 17, the fourth and final leg to Dieppe restarting on June 21.

On Friday, Novem­ber 28, Henry was back in Dartmouth thanking his family of 2014 local sponsors at Seahorse, a restaurant owned by his long-term supporter and TV chef Mitch Tonks – also the owner of Rockfish.

Without the support he has received from back home, Henry knows that he would not be where he is today and looking forward to competing once again in the Solitaire du Figaro 2015.

A delighted Henry said: 'I have incredible support for my campaign locally and at our end of season get together last week, numerous sponsors of mine decided to come back for 2015 which is fantastic – the race coming to Torbay playing a big factor I am sure'.

'Financially the project is looking stronger all the time, although I still have another £15,000 or so to raise, but I am confident I will be able to do this over the coming months.

'For now I have enough to start winter training and commit full time to the 2015 race which is fantastic.

'This is the first time ever since I started the Figaro that I know I am definitely doing the Solitaire before Christ­mas or the start of the New Year!

'The last two years have been really tough financially, scrapping through and getting by the skin on my teeth on last-minute sponsorship deals.

'Hopefully next year will give me an easier ride!'

Now Henry is planning his return to the Pole Finisterre training centre in France in the new year, where he will train for the next four months ahead of the Solitaire du Figaro.

To find out more about Henry, and how you can get involved with his 2015 Solitaire du Figaro campaign, visit http://www.henrybomby.com">www.henrybomby.com.