ARC 2016 – Meet the FCS Crew – Nic Allen

“I love the wall-to-wall night skies on an ocean passage.” Nic Allen

 
This Hampshire GP is now four days into this high-profile transatlantic race having returned to the thrill of ocean racing.

Nic Allen, 53, a watch leader, is an NHS general practitioner in Fareham and forms part of an expert quartet that is overseeing the FCS crew of 12 amateur sailors in the 2016 Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC).

All 12 of the team, who are also guided by skipper Ricky Chalmers, 55, mate Kirstie Rowe, 29, and fellow watch leader Andrew Northall, 22, are racing the 2,700-mile ARC against over 200 vessels.

It started in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria on Sunday before finishing on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia just over two weeks later.

Four Days Out and Leading

75th in All Boats, 7th in Racing B

After four days of racing, the 72-foot Challenger 3 yacht used by First Class Sailing is well clear of El Hierro, the most westerly of the Canary Islands, as it charts a south-westerly course for the finish line.

There are fewer than 14 days of racing remaining as the team bids to secure as high a finish as possible. Currently on a 12-month sabbatical, Nic’s love of sailing stems from a desire to give something back to society.

He said: “I’m a youth mentor and putting effort into the development of young sailors is so worthwhile.”

Next year Nic will work as an expedition medic in Costa Rica on a three-month trip with youth charity Raleigh International, but first needs to whet his sailing appetite.

“Crossing the Atlantic is a priority to satisfy my passion for ocean racing. I love the wall-to-wall night skies on an ocean passage with shooting stars every few minutes. It’s truly breathtaking.”

The crew began their preparations at a recent training weekend held in the Solent and skipper Ricky is competing in his second successive ARC.

He said: “The first few days of the ARC are full on and it acts as a great training base. Once the team’s experience builds up we can start to push it.”

First Class Sailing principal Charlie Tulloch is delighted to have the expert quartet on board. He said: “Between Ricky, Kirstie, Andrew and Nic there is an extensive stock of sailing know-how and their combined experience in both ocean racing and sailing in general will be of great benefit to the 12 amateur sailors. They really are in good hands.”

First Class Training and Adventures All Year

In case you didn’t know First Class Sailing provides the full range of RYA sailing courses, plus a huge variety of yachting experiences – including sailing the ARC yacht to Las Palmas via the Bay of Biscay and back across the Atlantic to the UK from Antigua.

The company has been awarded a Trip Advisor certificate of excellence three years running.

Sailing holidays to various parts of the world are on offer, including Norwegian fjord cruises next year and participation in races such as the 2017 ARC Rally, The Rolex Fastnet – a race from Cowes to Ireland, finishing in Plymouth – and the Round the Island race circumnavigating the Isle of Wight.

Anyone wishing to book a place at the 2017 ARC with First Class Sailing should contact Charlie Tulloch on 0203 006 3717 or via email info@firstclasssailing.com

Posted by: First Class Sailing