Rolex Fastnet Race 2011
Venue: South Coast to Ireland Duration: 5 days + training weekend and 3 qualifying events Price Per-Person: £2790
Pay a 25% deposit online to secure your place.
(A 3% card processing fee will be added at checkout.)
About the Event:
Over 600 miles of thrilling offshore racing, the Fastnet is one of the most prestigious events on the sailing calendar. It is considered a supreme challenge to ocean racing yachtties in British waters and is the ideal opportunity for you to test your skills against world-class sailors. Following on immediately after Cowes Week, more than 250 boats head off down the English Channel and across the Irish Sea heading towards infamous Fastnet Rock. After rounding the Rock they then continue past the Scilly Isles and back up to Plymouth. Depending on weather conditions the race can take between 4-5 days and conditions vary between light breezes to full-blown gales!
The package includes a training weekend and 3 qualifying RORC races - all crew members must complete these in order to enter the Fastnet. The most popular are Cowes to St Malo, the Channel Race and the Cowes to Cherbourg Race. Dates to be advised.
Crew experience
The crew will be made up with people who are enthusiastic about racing and winning. Full training in racing and sailing techniques come with the package and our aim is that any one of the crew members will have the ability and confidence to step on to any race yacht and become a key member of any team. It is important for all potential crew to attend the training weekend (dates to be advised). We do not require any previous racing experience as crew will be trained and coached in all aspects of racing but whilst we do not ask for previous racing experience it is important that any one intending to race has a reasonable level of fitness.
Training
During the training weekend we will cover the following aspects of sailing:
Helming at all points of sail
Sail trim especially asymmetric spinnaker trimming
Boat speed
Teamwork
Effective boat handling techniques (upwind and downwind)
Yacht preparation
Meteorology, tidal and routing tactics
Watch systems and living aboard
Heavy Weather and survival techniques
Use of modern navigation and routing systems
Price includes:
Professional racing skipper and first mate
Training weekend
ISAF Offshore Safety Course - dates to be arranged individually
RYA Sea Survival Course - 1 day
3 RORC qualifying races
Fastnet race
Return passage to Cowes
Wet weather gear
Food and drink onboard yachts during training and racing
Branded race clothing
Race entry fees
fuel, water, mooring fees
If you would like more information or to book on the event please give us a call or email.
ABOUT THE COURSES
RYA & ISAF SEA SURVIVAL 1 DAY COURSE
Every yachtsman (power or sail) should attend this one day course. The emphasis is on using life-rafts and the day includes a two hour practical session in the pool learning how to inflate, climb into, upright and survive in a life-raft. We also cover in the class room a wide range of other survival issues, including helicopter rescue, immersion in cold water and use of distress flares.
RYA/ISAF OFFSHORE SAFETY COURSE
The RYA/ISAF Offshore Safety course equips both racers and cruisers with the skills and knowledge necessary to both prevent and deal with emergencies offshore. The RYA/ISAF Offshore Safety course is split between both theoretical and practical hands on training.
Subjects covered include;
- Care & Maintenance of Safety Equipment
- Storm Sails
- Damage Control
- Crew Routines
- Man Overboard Prevention and Recovery
- Giving Assistance to other craft
- SAR Organisation and Methods
- Practical Fire Precautions and Fire Fighting
- Distress Alerting and Survivor Location Aids
SOME OF THE QUALIFYING RACES
May - Cervantes Trophy - Cowes - Le Havre - 120 miles
May - Myth of Malham - Cowes - St Quay Portrieux - 165 Miles
June - Morgan Cup - Cowes - Channel - Cowes - 125 miles
July - St Malo - Cowes - Dinard - St Malo