Only 37 started the third TwoSTAR in 1990. The numbers reflected to conflict with the Globe Challenge and the BOC singlehanded round-the-world races (both organised after the TwoSTAR) in an increasingly crowded short-handed oceanic race calendar. The race still attracted several 60’ Class I entrants including multihulls of Florence Arthaud (Pierre 1er), Jean Maurel (Elf Aquitaine), Loïck Peyron (Lada Poch), and monohulls of Warren Luhrs (Hunter’s Child), and John Martin (Allied Bank). Britain’s main hope was Tony Bullimore (Spirit of Apricot) who had not recovered from a back injury and withdrew. Another non-starter was Non Smoking Days which was impounded by Customs and Excise.

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‘Boots’ Parker and BJ Watkins were the only all-female crew finishing third in their class. The oldest competitor was 65 year-old Norwegian Arne Lie skipper of Tresbelle (37ft) and the youngest was Stephen Moon (20) on Minitech which at 30ft was the smallest boat. The largest was 65’ Olivetti, skippered by Loïck’s brother Bruno Peyron, which being over the 60’ size limit was allowed to sail with the fleet but not to record a place. However Olivetti along with Minitech and Tresbelle suffered damage and retired, Tresbelle losing its mast 300 miles off Newfoundland. Another failure was Sprint whose crew was rescued by RAF helicopter some 200 miles off Ireland.

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Records were set in this race – Jean Maurel and Michel Desjoyeaux (Elf Aquitaine) finished in 10 days 23 hrs 15 min, beating the previous record by 2 days 6hr 55min, and Mike Birch and Didier Munduteguy (Fujicolor) finished just 4hr behind. John and Ian Martin (Allied Bank) were the first monohull home in 15 days 13 hr 25 min beating the previous record by 11hr 25min but were penalised 2 hr 15min for failing to report their positions by radio.