SOLO sailor Steve White is heading into the north Atlantic bound for Boston, on a 2,800-mile race to the USA.

It follows two weeks of hectic preparation which saw him just make the start line for the Artemis Transat race, starting in Plymouth.

His entry in the event was delayed by last-minute efforts to secure more funding for the race, which requires more than £12,000 in entry fees alone.

Sponsorship for his 60ft boat Spirit of Weymouth from his long-term backer bluQube, the Bristol-based software company, has now been added to by specialist ship builders Damen Shipyards Group from the Netherlands and the city-based firm Mako Global Trading.

Father-of-four Steve, of Charlton Down, near Dorchester, left the dock at Plymouth's Sutton harbour on Sunday looking forward to the sea miles ahead.

Following hugs and farewells, family and shore crew were taken off the boat with only a few minutes to spare, and Spirit of Weymouth headed for the horizon.

Steve made his qualifying passage for the Artemis Transat only last week.

He said: "I must admit getting to the start line of this race was very touch and go, but we have had such fantastic support.

"It has been incredibly hard work, but getting to the start in Plymouth has been worth every moment."

Initially hampered by problems with his on-board weather information systems, Steve has so far been on a more northerly course than the other 12 Open 60 boats.

It is likely to be two weeks or so before any of the boats approach Boston, and plenty of variables - including icebergs - lie ahead.

Dee Caffari, the former Swanage teacher who is now a long-distance sailor, is also taking part in the race, on her Open 60 Aviva. The event is a qualifier for the Vendee Globe, the solo, non-stop round-the-world race in November.