Fastnet 2009
Race start: 9 August 2009
The Fastnet Race takes place every other year and is rated as one of the world's great yachting events.
The testing 608-mile course, which starts off of the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, runs along the South Coast, past the Scilly Isles, across the Irish Sea to the Fastnet Rock south of Ireland, round and back to the finish line at Plymouth.
This is one of the few events where amateurs can compete alongside professionals and, thanks to the IRC rating system which gives each yacht a handicap, even small yachts have a chance of winning against top racers. Up to 300 yachts will enter this demanding race, including some of the most spectacular racing yachts on the international circuit.
The Fastnet has a reputation of being wild, and it is this challenge which draws so many competitors, from novice to world-class sailor. The weather being what it is however, means that nothing is guaranteed, and some years are hot and calm - which is a challenge all of its own - while some are wet and windy.
The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) first ran the event in 1925. Their regulations require crews to complete at least 300 miles on qualifying races with their team and on the yacht that they will be entering the Fastnet in. This gives teams the opportunity to practise together on shorter races, and also means that entrants are likely to face a wider range of sailing conditions.
To make sure the 300 miles are achieved, we have put together a package which includes 3 qualifying races, which last between 2 and 4 days each, plus 2 training weekends in which we cover safety procedures, basic sailing drills and spinnaker training. Your experienced skipper will teach you what you need to enjoy the race safely and competitively.
RORC also require that a proportion of the crew have done the ISAF Offshore Sailing course, which is a classroom weekend covering heavy weather tactics, use of the liferafts, flares and first aid, so this is also included in the package.
The event has a social side as well as hard-core racing, and depending on when races start, we usually enjoy a meal out the night before a race start as well as the end of Fastnet party in Plymouth.
Dates:
Race dates are provisional.
4-5 April: Training weekend
25-26 April: ISAF Offshore Safety Course
2-3 May: Training weekend
Myth of Malham Race: start 23 May (bank holiday weekend) 230 miles around Eddystone Lighthouse (off Plymouth), approx 2-3 days.
Morgan Cup: start Fri 26 June, 75-175 miles, race to Cherbourg, cruise back, approx 2 days.
Channel Race: start Sat 25 July, 100-175 miles around marks in the Channel, approx 2 days.
Fastnet Race: 9-16 August 2009. Includes return trip with yacht from Plymouth to Hamble.
Price:
£2900 per person
Included:
2 x training weekends
3 x qualifying races
1 x ISAF Offshore course
Loan of wet weather gear
Team t-shirt
Team jacket
Race entry fees
Food on board
|
