The Rolex Fastnet Race 2013
3,184 views | July 11th, 2013
The Rolex Fastnet Challenger 3 crew
The Rolex Fastnet Race is a tough challenge: just over 600nm of hard sailing, usually with little opportunity to get decent rest. The crew will be absolutely focused on sail trim and steering the straightest course possible.
It is the largest event of its kind and a big attraction for amateur sailors is the opportunity to have raced alongside professionals such as Ben Ainslie, Alex Thomson, Dee Cafari and Dame Helen.
The race comes around every two years and 2013 sees First Class Sailing’s fourth entry into Rolex Fastnet Race.
Three previous Rolex Fastnet Race Campaigns
Our first Fastnet was in 2007, on a Najad 39. The weather was not kind that year and a large number of yachts pulled out before getting anywhere near the rock. We got as far as Weymouth!
Keen to avoid that disappointment and frustration in 2009 we entered a Challenger yacht, Challenger 3, skippered by Ricky Chalmers.
Rounding the Fastnet Rock
The Challenger yachts were built in 2000 for the BT Global Challenge Around The World Yacht Race. Made of steel and 72ft long they are capable of withstanding a lot of nasty weather.
We finished in 5 hours, 5 days and 2 minutes coming 54th in class beating another Challenger Yacht by over three hours.
Keen to improve, and happy with the Challenger Yacht, we entered two in the 2011. This time there were four Challengers in the Race and Challenger 3, once again skippered by Ricky Chalmers, beat all the other Challengers, crossing the line 42nd in class after 4 days 12 hours and 57 minutes.
In 2013 Challenger 3, with Ricky as skipper, will once again be under First Class Sailing colours.
Weighing 48 gross tonnes the yachts go best in stronger rather than lighter winds and to improve on her last time she will need a good stiff breeze and not on the nose.
Every yacht needs a good crew
She will also need her crew to work well as a team together. Since April they have undergone a number of weekends training and RORC racing in preparation for the big Race itself. They are starting to get very familiar with the yacht and each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
The majority of crew on Challenger 3 have taken some form of RYA course provided by First Class Sailing before they signed up for the Fastnet. Courses like the Day Skipper Theory, Day Skipper Practical, Yachtmaster Theory and VHF. Whilst the courses focus more on the cruising side of sailing they do essentially teach you how to sail and navigate which make them an excellent foundation for racing in something like the Fastnet Race.
How to get involved and follow Challenger 3
If you would like to follow the crew of Challenger 3 and how they do in the Race then Like our Facebook page here: First Class Sailing on Facebook and sign up for our tweets here: First Class Sailing on Twitter. The hash tag for the yacht is #challenger3
Posted by: firstclass
