Sailing News
All the latest news from the world of sailing and stories from experienced sailors.
A former McDonald’s employee from Birkenhead is part of the FCS crew and only left his job two weeks ago! Andrew Northall, 22, is one of the watch leaders and former floor manager at the fast food chain. He’s part of the expert quartet guiding the crew, which includes skipper is Ricky Chalmers, mate Kirstie… Read more
ARC 2016 – Day 3 – Take The Helm Speed Challenge
Take the Helm Challenge This is the third blog to arrive from Challenger 3 and is written by Mate Kirstie Rowe 22 Nov. 16 Well, after wishing for wind… we got it! After clinging on to my bunk like a bat at 4am and debating popping my head on deck, a patter of feet announced… Read more
ARC 2016 – Day 2 – Already It’s A Breeze
This is the second blog to arrive from Challenger 3 and is written by Skipper Ricky Chalmers Well, Monday morning dawned with the lighter winds as forecast. The fleet seems divided how to cope with them. Lots have chosen to stay on or return to a Port Gybe and try and get out of the… Read more
ARC 2016 – Day 1 – And We’re Off!
Finally at Sea This is the first blog to arrive from Challenger 3 and is written by Deckhand Ralph Goodchild and Skipper Ricky Chalmers And We’re Off! At last… some of us had been in Las Palmas for 10 days or more (not to mention those among the crew who delivered the boat), and the… Read more
ARC 2016 – Meet the FCS Crew – Helena Sandberg
Meet the FCS Crew – Helena Sandberg A Swedish sailor is one of the FCS crew participating in the ARC Rally, the renowned two-week transatlantic yacht race. Originally from Tidaholm in Sweden, Helena Sandberg, 32, is now living in central London and was tempted to compete in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) by the… Read more
ARC 2016 – Tracking Challenger 3 During the Race
It’s a race and it’s about to begin! ARC 2016 excitement is building for both the crew and those of us willing them on from home or work. You can following every move of Challenger 3 and her main competitors Challenger 2 and Challenger 4 using this tracking device. All yachts in the ARC Rally… Read more
ARC 2016 – Prepping Challenger 3 in Las Palmas
Here is the first in a regular series of blogs from the crew of Challenger 3 as they race in ARC Rally 2016 Friday 18th November The pontoons of Las Palmas Marina have been a hive of activity this week as crews rush around to complete the final boat preparations before venturing across the Atlantic… Read more
ARC 2016 Training Weekend Captain’s Review
Sunday Tack on the Solent The crew joined Challenger 3’s sister ship, Challenger 1 on a cold and windy Saturday morning in Portsmouth for a weekend of boat familiarisation, big boat training and most importantly spinnaker training. Before the big sail could be used it needed to be “wooled”. This is a laborious process of… Read more
The ARC Rally
The 2016 ARC Rally, a hugely social yet really quite competitive sailing race, is fast approaching with the training weekend kicking off on the 5th November. This year we’re entering, giving 12 people the opportunity to crew in this renowned race (we’ve got one place remaining if you are interested!). Established in 1986 as a… Read more
Day 14 on the ARC – The finishing post is in sight. What an adventure it has been.
Sunday 6th December Race Day 14 The last day in the Atlantic Another fine sunrise in paradise, revealing a beautiful blue sky, and already warm at 0830 so going to be hot, hot, hot! Despite the reality of not being able to catch challenger 1, the Challenger 3 crew are still very focused on making… Read more
