A yachtswoman from the South West is to take part in a sailing race from Plymouth to Antigua designed specifically for women.

Sammie Evans, from Torquay, will line up for the 3,300 mile Women's Offshore Worlds (WOW) race at the end of October.

She will be joined by Hannah Jenner in Team Beaudacious during the event, launched by property developer Tony Lawson in a bid to offer a boost to the women's sailing scene.

The competitors will doubtlessly spend the next few months preparing ahead of tackling the choppy waters in their 30ft yacht.

There are many ways people can prepare for races. Attending a Sunsail race training weekend is one of them. People signing up for the scheme will benefit from some proper race training, and afterwards they will be told what areas they need to focus on going forward.

The women will line up against crews from all over the world in the race, which starts on October 28 and will test competitors' abilities to the maximum when it comes to sailing in Antigua.

Sammie, a Plymouth University graduate, said: "We are going to be battling it out in these one-design boats so it's not about the best boat, it's about the best team - it's a level playing field.

"It is a proper yacht race - the boats are fast and fun to sail and you can charter one at a reasonable price - it makes it all very accessible."

Andrew Eccleston, lecturer in nautical studies at Plymouth University, added: "I am delighted that Sammie is entering the race.

"As a boy, I watched the first single-handed transatlantic sail from Plymouth in 1960 and it's great to see another event following that tradition - especially one that gives women a platform."

However, it takes a long time and lots of preparation and fitness to tackle such an arduous challenge. If you've spent most of your sailing career watching from the sidelines then perhaps now is the time to get involved? Signing up for a learn to sail from Weymouth course is the first step on the ladder to competitive racing.

The courses are operated out of Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

You can pick up RYA qualifications on the water, before heading into the classroom to get down the accompanying theory. The beginners courses last five days, and can be booked by visiting the Sunsail website.