The Oyster World Rally describes itself as the only fully supported circumnavigation of its kind, and its structure goes a long way to justifying that claim. The route is plotted around global weather patterns, placing major passages in favourable seasons while giving crews enough time at each stop to genuinely experience a place rather than simply move on.
The current fleet has a broad international spread. Owners represent eight nationalities, among them the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and several European countries. Boats range from 50 to 90 feet, with 15 described as new generation Oysters, including multiple 565 and 595 models and a flagship Oyster 885.
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The support package is a central part of the Rally's appeal. Oyster runs a training programme developed specifically for participants ahead of departure, then keeps technical and logistics teams on the ground as the voyage unfolds.
Several of the yachts reached the Caribbean via the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers before joining up. Oyster has pointed to an all-Oyster top three in Cruising Class B, with Odisea, Alpenglow and Carina separated by 16 hours on uncorrected time.
The most high-profile addition to this edition is Oyster's Owner and Chairman, Richard Hadida, who is sailing with his family aboard the Oyster 885 Lush. He has described it as a long-held ambition and a chance to experience the world at sailing speed, mile by mile, rather than by air.
With this edition under way and the 2028 Rally already close to full, Oyster's circumnavigation programme shows no signs of slowing.
