Do I Have Enough Experience?

You don't need to be an experienced offshore racer to take part in our Rolex Fastnet Race campaign, but you should already be a confident sailor with a good foundation of practical sailing skills.

Most participants have completed RYA Competent Crew, Day Skipper Practical or have gained an equivalent level of experience through regular sailing. Previous yacht racing experience is welcome but is certainly not essential.

You'll also need a reasonable level of fitness and be prepared for long periods on deck, night sailing and working as part of a crew in a demanding offshore environment. Enthusiasm, commitment and a willingness to learn are just as important as your sailing experience.

In return, completing this challenge will give you a huge sense of achievement - and hopefully a great result!   

All applications will be fully considered and there is plenty of opportunity for learning on the training days and qualifying races. Please reach out to us to discuss your experience in full detail.

Our campaign has been designed to provide the training, qualifying races and safety courses required by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC). Throughout the programme you'll build your offshore racing skills while meeting the eligibility requirements for the Rolex Fastnet Race.

The RORC requires that:

• the yacht and crew complete at least 300 nautical miles of offshore racing or other qualifying offshore mileage within one year of the race
• a required proportion of the crew hold a valid RYA/World Sailing Offshore Personal Survival certificate

Our campaign includes the qualifying races, training and safety courses needed to meet these requirements.

Which Yacht Is Right for You?

Both of our Fastnet campaigns offer a genuine Rolex Fastnet Race experience. You'll train with an experienced skipper, complete the required qualifying races and take your place on the Fastnet start line as part of a well-prepared crew.

The choice isn't about one yacht being better than the other—it's about choosing the campaign that best suits you. While both offer an exciting offshore racing experience, they differ in crew size, life on board and the character of the yacht itself. The comparison opposite highlights the key differences between the two campaigns.

Still unsure which campaign is right for you? We'd be happy to talk through the two options and help you choose the campaign that best matches your sailing experience, ambitions and availability.

Be part of the 2025 Fastnet Crew - click here

The Yacht - A Challenger 72

A spacious, round-the-world race yacht offering a complete offshore Fastnet campaign with two qualifying races.

The Challenger 72 is a purpose-built steel offshore race yacht steel yacht, designed withstanding ferocious conditions if needed. At 72ft long and displacing 48 tonnes, she has raced around the world twice and completed numerous Fastnet Races and Atlantic crossings.

She is equipped to a standard beyond that required by both the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), providing a reassuringly safe platform for taking part in one of the world's most famous offshore yacht races.

The yacht is very hands on. Like any offshore race yacht, teamwork is central to the campaign. Most manoeuvres require several crew members working together, making communication and cooperation key throughout the race.

Down below the yacht is comfortable and has a big airy saloon area, a well-equipped galley and two heads/showers. The sleeping area is made up of compartments with nice snug bunks.

Challenger 72 Campaign Dates

A complete Fastnet campaign from training to the finish line.

Your Challenger 72 campaign begins with the mandatory Sea Survival and Offshore Personal Survival Courses, followed by a five-day training week, two RORC qualifying races and finally the Rolex Fastnet Race itself.

Dates are as follows:

• 24-25 April: Sea Survival and Offshore Personal Survival Courses
• 26-30 April: Training Week
• 1-3 May: Cervantes Trophy Race
• 28-31 May: Myth of Malham Race
• 23 July - 1 August: Fastnet Race

(They are subject to change if RORC make any amendments - unlikely)

Price and What's Included: Challenger 72

The price is £6197.

This can be paid in full or in three instalments. To discuss payment plans please contact the office

• Deposit of 25% at time of booking
• Interim payment of 40%
• Balance: 35%

Included:

• All food on board
• Team Kit
• Race entrance fees
• Mooring fees
• Custom entry fees
• Insurance
• Use of foul weather gear

Not included:

• Travel to and from the yacht (The Challenger 72 is berthed in Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth)

Choose Your Campaign

The Yacht - A Farr 40

A lighter offshore race yacht delivering a stripped-back, highly rewarding Fastnet campaign with three qualifying races.

Espresso Martini Too is a Farr 40 purpose-built for competitive offshore racing. At 40ft long and displacing around five tonnes, she is light, responsive and equipped with a comprehensive sail wardrobe.

She is equipped to a standard beyond that required by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the race organisers - the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC).

The yacht is very hands on and team work will be key.

Espresso Martini Too is a very exciting boat to sail, fast and competitive. The Farr 40 is quick, responsive and rewarding to sail. Small adjustments to sail trim and crew weight make a noticeable difference, giving everyone on board plenty to get involved with throughout the campaign.

You will get wet.

Below deck, facilities are deliberately simple and practical. Meals are centred around expedition-style freeze-dried food, the galley is basic, and snug bunks are arranged in the saloon and aft cabin—everything needed to support a focused offshore racing campaign.

Farr 40 Campaign Dates

A training weekend, 3 qualifying races and the race itself.

The program for the Farr 40 involves a meet and greet session which gives you the opportunity for us to meet you and you to meet the skipper and see the yacht, a Sea Survival and Offshore Personal Survival Course, a training weekend, 3 qualifying races and the Fastnet Race.

Dates are as follows:

• Meet the Skipper, Boat & Team (TBC)
• 6-7 February: Sea Survival and Offshore Personal Survival Courses
• 20-21 March: Training Weekend
• 1-3 May: Cervantes Trophy Race
• 28-31 May: Myth of Malham Race
• 18-20 June: Morgan Cup Race
• 24 July – 31 July: Fastnet Race

(They are subject to change if RORC make any amendments - unlikely)

Price and What's Included: Farr 40

The price is £5497.

This can be paid in full or in three instalments. To discuss payment plans please contact the office

• Deposit of 25% at time of booking
• Interim payment of 40%
• Balance: 35%

Included:

• All race entry fees
• All food on board
• Team kit
• Mooring fees
• Fuel & Gas
• Foul weather gear

Not included:

• Insurance - we will be asking you to insure yourselves
• Travel to and from the yacht (Espresso is berthed in Shamrock Quay Southampton)

Choose Your Campaign

Why do you have to complete qualifying races?

Before taking on the Rolex Fastnet Race, every crew must satisfy the Royal Ocean Racing Club's qualification requirements. Our qualifying races aren't simply a box-ticking exercise—they're an essential part of preparing both you and the yacht for one of the world's most famous offshore races.

Racing alongside experienced skippers and crew, you'll become familiar with the yacht, refine your sail handling, improve teamwork and communications, and experience offshore racing under genuine race conditions. By the time you reach the Fastnet start line, you'll have already completed hundreds of miles of competitive offshore sailing together,  giving you the confidence that comes from racing as an established crew.

The exact qualifying races vary depending on your chosen campaign. Challenger 72 crews complete the Cervantes Trophy Race and Myth of Malham Race, while the Farr 40 campaign also includes the Morgan Cup Race.

Qualifying Race 1 – RORC Cervantes Trophy

Cowes - Le Havre | 110nm | 1-2 May 2027.

The Cervantes Trophy Race is the first offshore qualifying race in both our Challenger 72 and Farr 40 Fastnet campaigns. Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), it starts in the Solent and is a race across the English Channel to Le Havre in France.  After finishing the race, you'll sail the yacht back to Southampton, giving you even more valuable offshore experience.

For many participants, this is their first taste of offshore yacht racing. You'll settle into your watch system, take part in helming, sail trimming, navigation and sail changes, while working closely with your skipper and fellow crew under genuine race conditions.

Unlike the training week, the Cervantes Trophy places you on the start line alongside other racing yachts, where tactics, weather, tides and teamwork all play a part. It is an invaluable opportunity to build confidence, become even more familiar with the boat and further develop the communication and teamwork that are essential for a successful Fastnet campaign.

By the time you cross the finish line, you'll have completed your first offshore race of the campaign and taken an important step towards the Rolex Fastnet Race.

Qualifying Race 2 – RORC Myth of Malham

Cowes - Eddystone Lighthouse - Cowes | 235nm | 29-31 May 2027

The Myth of Malham is the second offshore qualifying race in our Challenger 72 and Farr 40 Fastnet campaigns. The race starts in Cowes, heads west along the English Channel to the iconic Eddystone Lighthouse off Plymouth, before returning to Cowes.

With over 235 nautical miles to cover, this race is significantly longer than the Cervantes Trophy and provides a more demanding test of endurance, teamwork and offshore sailing skills. You'll gain further experience of watch systems, night sailing, navigation, sail handling and racing tactics while working together through changing weather, tides and sea conditions.

Having already raced together in the Cervantes Trophy, you will be more settled and confident, allowing everyone to build on what they've already learned. The Myth of Malham is an excellent opportunity to refine your skills, strengthen teamwork and continue preparing for the challenges of the Rolex Fastnet Race.

By the time you return to Cowes, you'll have completed another major offshore race and gained the confidence that comes from racing longer distances as part of an established crew.

For Challenger 72 crews, the Myth of Malham is the final qualifying race before attention turns to the highlight of the campaign—the Rolex Fastnet Race.

View Campaign Dates & Prices

Qualifying Race 3 - Morgan Cup

Cowes - Dartmouth (or Guernsey) | 110nm | 18-19 June 2027

The Morgan Cup is the third and final qualifying race in the Farr 40 Fastnet campaign. Again the race starts in Cowes and crosses and is to Dartmouth providing another exciting offshore challenge just a few weeks before the Rolex Fastnet Race. Sometimes the race is to Guernsey.

Exclusive to the Farr 40 campaign, the Morgan Cup gives crews another opportunity to race together under competitive conditions. By now, you'll be familiar with the yacht, settled into your watch system and working confidently as part of the crew, allowing you to concentrate on refining race tactics, sail trim, navigation and teamwork.

The race also offers valuable experience of another offshore passage, helping to reinforce everything you've learned throughout the campaign while building confidence ahead of the Fastnet.

After crossing the finish line, you'll sail the yacht back to Southampton, adding further offshore miles and experience before taking on the Rolex Fastnet Race.

Competing in these Races is an achievement in itself however knowing its all in preparation for the big one leaves even more incentive to learn as much from each as possible.

(Please note dates are provisional until confirmed by the RORC, expected November 2027)

The Rolex Fastnet Race

Cowes – Fastnet Rock – Cherbourg | 695nm | 24 July – 1 August 2027

After months of preparation, training and qualifying races, it's finally time for the event you've been working towards – the Rolex Fastnet Race.

Recognised as one of the world's most famous offshore yacht races, the Fastnet attracts hundreds of yachts and thousands of sailors from around the globe. Starting from Cowes, the fleet races west along England's south coast before crossing the Celtic Sea to round the iconic Fastnet Rock off the south-west coast of Ireland. From there, the course turns south-east for the final leg up and across the English Channel to the finish in Cherbourg, France.

During the race, you'll stand watch, helm, trim sails, navigate and work as part of the crew around the clock as weather, tides and tactical decisions continually shape the challenge. Every crew member plays an important role, whether racing through daylight, sailing beneath the stars or helping prepare meals while off watch.

Crossing the finish line in Cherbourg is a moment few sailors forget. Whether your ambition is to complete one of offshore sailing's greatest challenges, gain valuable racing experience or simply be part of an unforgettable team effort, the Rolex Fastnet Race is an achievement that will stay with you for years to come.

Sea Survival and Offshore Personal Survival Course(s)

Both the Challenger 72 and Farr 40 Fastnet campaigns include the RYA Sea Survival Course (1 day) and the RYA/World Sailing Offshore Personal Survival Course (1 day). These are held over a weekend before the start of your campaign (see the campaign schedules above for dates).

While these qualifications are required to meet Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) entry requirements, they are also an invaluable part of preparing for offshore racing. They provide the knowledge and practical skills needed to deal with emergency situations at sea, giving you greater confidence before stepping aboard for your training and qualifying races.

RYA Sea Survival Course

This one-day course covers the essential principles of sea survival, including liferafts, lifejackets, survival techniques, medical aspects of survival at sea, distress procedures and search and rescue. The practical session takes place in a swimming pool, where you'll wear a lifejacket and practise boarding and using a liferaft.

RYA/World Sailing Offshore Personal Survival Course

Building on the Sea Survival Course, this additional one-day course focuses on the challenges of offshore racing. Topics include storm sails, damage control, crew routines, man overboard prevention and recovery, assisting other vessels, firefighting, distress alerting and offshore emergency procedures.

Completion of both courses awards the RYA/World Sailing Offshore Personal Survival qualification, which helps satisfy the Royal Ocean Racing Club's safety requirements for Fastnet Race crews.

Join a Fastnet Crew here