Sailing News
All the latest news from the world of sailing and stories from experienced sailors.
As she sails from Antigua to Portsmouth the latest report from Challenger 2 brought the usual daily update from the skipper Neil, plus a long and thoughtful piece from Alex who managed to find some time between watches to put his thoughts down about taking on a long voyage across the Atlantic. The Pot… Read more
Antigua to Portsmouth: the Return Leg Begins
The last leg of the Atlantic Adventure began over the weekend. It started in Portsmouth with the voyage down to the Canaries, followed by the rally across the Atlantic in the ARC 2017 and finally Challenger 2 will sail from Antigua to Portsmouth. The crew will be adding around 3500+ miles to their log… Read more
Hooray for Rodney Bay! Challenger 2 Arrives in St Lucia
It has been voyage and a half, the crew will have ARC Rally memories that will last for ever and stories to tell to all and sundry. For skipper Ricky Chalmers he’ll certainly write this one down as a job well done. Here is his final post from the second leg of the Atlantic… Read more
Medical Emergency mid-Atlantic for Challenger 2
You haven’t heard much from the FCS crew on Challenger 2 over the past few days and there has been a very good reason, one of the team was ill, seriously ill and this gripping account from skipper Ricky Chalmers will certainly have you on the edge of your seat… Sunday December 10 2017… Read more
Over Half-Way Across the Atlantic
As the FCS crew head towards St Lucia they cross the mid-Atlantic, celebrate and then get back to sailing Challenger 2. Below is the latest news from the crew plus their position (14:00 7th Dec 2017). It’s a Swell Kelp Hello from the middle of the ocean. We’ve crossed cross the halfway point (around… Read more
A Pants Gybe and Other Adventures Mid-Atlantic
The FCS crew on Challenger 2 were racing to St Lucia in the ARC Rally. Things were going well until a problem with the rigging meant a couple of repairs were needed in Cape Verde before carrying on. Yesterday Gary posted this cryptic message: “Ps. Joe’s lesson learnt for the day, remove underwear from the… Read more
Skills Learnt: Downwind Sailing with a Following Sea
The FCS crew on Challenger 2 were racing to St Lucia in the ARC Rally. Things were going well until a problem with the rigging meant a couple of repairs were needed in Cape Verde before carrying on. Before we hear from the crew of Challenger 2 we thought you might like to see… Read more
Birthday Celebrations in the Middle of Nowhere
Speed! Sunday 3 December (Steve’s Birthday) Woken at six this morning by shouts of ‘11 knots’ and we have well and truly cut the rubber band that dragged us back to Cape Verde. Steady winds from astern with mighty Atlantic rollers to add to the boat speed means we are rolling along towards our… Read more
French Poetry on the High Seas and Power for Life!
It is nearly 2 weeks since Challenger 2 left the Canaries. ARC crew Member Alex shares his thoughts with us. Saturday 2 December 2017 Bonjour!! Ola !! Ciao !! Heg !! Hi grounders! It’s actually the first time I’m writing on this blog and what I can first say it’s that for sure we are… Read more
Spinnaker flying and tuna for supper!
Friday 1 December 2017 The lack of wind since leaving Mindelo has been replaced by north easterly force 4 everyone is happy, engine off and spinnaker is flying and white horses with the increasing breeze. The new watch system is starting to work after initial bugs (waking up the wrong persons!) The system also ensure… Read more
