Preparation is Everything for Fastnet Crew Member Melanie White

The Rolex Fastnet is such a well known race – by both sailors and non-sailors alike – is one reason for being attracted to it. The challenge of the whole thing is amazing and with a great group of people and of course our fabulous Skipper and Mate I am sure the actual race will be hard work, but really fun!!

The hard part is the physical aspect due to the size of Challenger 3, the ropes and sails etc, it is quite difficult to do anything yourself (most jobs need two people) except maybe helming!! But then again, being quite short it can be a “challenge” to see over the wheel and where we are supposed to be going!!

Race Weekend is this Weekend

As far as preparation goes all of the race weekends have been excellent. We have changed sails in double quick time, put up the spinnaker, pulled down the spinnaker and wooled it ready to go again… I would say these have been the most helpful to me. Still not too sure about the lack of sleep, but I guess it will be just like having small children again!!

We’ll have our last few days before the race next weekend… I am hoping by the day of the race we will all be ready for it!! I think we are all familiar with the boat and each other, so that’s part of it!! Personally I think I have learnt so much over the last months maybe I feel as ready now as I am ever going to.

The part I have enjoyed the most is being with the rest of the team / crew. The weather can be rubbish and the wind non-existent, but with a good crew it really doesn’t matter. In times of no wind we did play…”In my lifeboat I would take..? For example, Person 1 – In my lifeboat I would take a map, Person 2 in my lifeboat I would take a map and compass, Person 3 in my lifeboat I would take a map, a compass and a pot of tea…and so it continues…

Like Father, like Daughter

Also during those quiet moments I think about how much my father would have been fascinated by all of this. He died in 2009, but I know he would have loved it all, although maybe he couldn’t have come on the race I am sure he’d have loved hearing all about it and looking at the photos and videos taken by other crew members.

However I can’t wait to get started – all the months of preparation have been aiming towards this!! I just feel as though I now want to get there and sail… Gosh I do hope we have good weather – a nice strong wind but sunny would be ideal, preferably for the whole race!! But we do all have experience of all weather types, so I do feel sure the wet weather gear and thermals will come in useful at some time!!

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By Melanie White

Posted by: firstclass