The countdown has begun. In June 2027 an Arcona 435 Mk II named Elemental will line up on the start line in Falmouth, ready to take on one of offshore sailing’s classic challenges – the Azores and Back Race (AZAB). With two experienced co-skippers, a proven performance cruiser and more than 2,300 nautical miles ahead, this is a story of preparation, determination and true seamanship.
For the crew of Elemental, AZAB represents everything that inspires sailors to push further. It is adventure in its purest form. From the moment the start gun fires on 5 June 2027 they will document their journey from Cornwall to Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island, then back to Falmouth on the return leg departing 20 June.
This race is about endurance, strategy and respect for the ocean. It is also about the right boat for the challenge – and Elemental is exactly that.
The name is simple. Elemental is the yacht, Arcona 435 Mk II by design and spirit. Forty-nine is the team’s race entry number. Together they become Yacht 49 – a fitting identity for a crew preparing to tackle thousands of miles of Atlantic ocean racing.
First held in 1975, AZAB is a Category 1 ocean race organised by the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club. Traditionally run every four years, it welcomes both seasoned racers and adventurous cruising sailors. The course spans at least 1,170 nautical miles each way across the Eastern Atlantic, taking competitors from the rugged coastline of Cornwall to the volcanic landscapes of the Azores Archipelago.
Originally a single-handed event, AZAB now includes both single and double-handed classes. In 2027 Elemental will race double-handed, co-skippered by the highly experienced team of Mark Howells and Martyn Bateman.
Mark’s sailing story began at 14, racing dinghies such as the Topper, Optimist, Laser, GP14 and International 505. He moved into yacht sailing in his mid-twenties and has since accumulated around 28,000 nautical miles as skipper across the English Channel, North Sea, Mediterranean and Caribbean.
Mark has competed in major offshore races including the RORC Cervantes Trophy, the Channel Race, the Myth of Malham and the world-renowned Rolex Fastnet Race. His offshore qualifications include Yachtmaster Offshore, VHF Operator, RYA First Aid, Offshore Personal Survival and Small Craft Basic Sea Survival.
From a transatlantic passage from Barbados to New York to co-skippering a North Sea crossing, Mark brings depth of experience and calm authority to the team.
Martyn first learned to sail in the 1970s, racing National 12 and Fireball dinghies before life took him away from competitive sailing. He returned to the water after retirement, buying a Hunter Legend 38 and exploring the Channel, Channel Islands, Brittany and the south coast of the UK.
In recent years Martyn has completed ambitious single-handed passages including Weymouth to Ushant, St Nazaire and a full east and north coast cruise of the UK, culminating in a North Sea crossing from Peterhead to Stavanger. After ten weeks cruising the Norwegian coast he returned to the UK with Mark as co-skipper.
Together they form a well-matched, highly capable and confident offshore partnership.
Racing 1,170 nautical miles out and the same distance back demands more than experience alone. The crew will spend the coming seasons developing their skills and ensuring Elemental is performing at her best. Key areas of preparation include:
AZAB is a race that rewards seamanship, resilience and meticulous preparation. Mark and Martyn are committed to all three.
Elemental is an Arcona 435 Mk II, a Swedish performance cruiser known for its rare balance of speed, strength and comfort. She is exactly the type of yacht that excels in a demanding race like AZAB.
Performance Design
Around 43 feet long with a beam just over 4 metres
Light displacement and built with carbon-reinforced structures for strength and stability
Arcona’s trademark steel backbone for stiffness and power
Deep fin keel with a bulb for exceptional upwind performance
Modern, efficient sail plan designed for speed and control
Twin wheels and a spacious cockpit optimised for offshore sailing
Comfort at Sea
Below deck the 435 combines Scandinavian craftsmanship with practical offshore comfort. Her warm wood interior features a spacious saloon, a well-equipped galley, three cabins and two heads. She is built to be lived in, raced hard and trusted offshore.
A boat that is fast, responsive and comfortable over long distances is exactly what a double-handed team needs for an ocean race. The Arcona 435 Mk II offers the perfect blend of pace, seaworthiness and reliability. Elemental is well matched to both the demands of the Atlantic and the ambitions of her crew.
From everyone at SE Yachts we wish Mark, Martyn and Elemental every success as their AZAB campaign gathers momentum. Preparing for an ocean race of this scale takes passion, commitment and the right yacht. We are proud to see an Arcona 435 Mk II taking on this iconic challenge and we look forward to following their progress as they race towards the Azores and back.