Sailing News
All the latest news from the world of sailing and stories from experienced sailors.
Today the real sailing began. Following a windless night motoring through an inky black sea and dense cloud cover, the wind came through around 4am. Those on watch shook out the reefed main and hoisted the yankee and staysail. We were soon powering to windward at around 8 knots. Two tacks were thrown in… Read more
Antigua to Portsmouth Day 3: Afternoon Tea On The Atlantic
You can send a blog from almost anywhere on the planet and in this case it is 547 Nm from Antigua sailing to the Azores. A perfect spot for a British tradition… The Crew Is Becoming Shipshape It’s been a busy day! I started off at 7am with a three hour watch on deck,… Read more
Antigua to Portsmouth Day 2: Brilliant Caribbean Weather
On their voyage to Portsmouth Harbour from Antigua the crew will learn many new tasks during their Atlantic Adventure along with some amazing sights. This is their first blog at sea… Crew Blog dated Thursday 10th January 2019. Two full days out and the crew is happily settling into its three watch pattern with a… Read more
Antigua to Portsmouth Day 1: Introducing the Best Watch
The first of the blogs from the FCS crew on Challenger 4 as they set sail from Antigua to Portsmouth and make one of the epic journeys that sailing is all about. We’re Going To Barbuda! The journey begins.. with us running away from the ‘not-so-Jolly Harbour’, nine members of our 16 person crew having been struck… Read more
Challenger 4 Departs Antigua for Portsmouth
After a bout of poorly stomachs, with several crew incapacitated before our yacht had even left Antigua’s Jolly Harbour, Challenger 4 is finally on its way! Here is their first midday report. Good morning all All is well after a fairly windy night on Challenger 4 which saw up to 30kts of NE breeze,… Read more
ARC 2018 Carribean Cruise
Ja mon! Well, the ARC is over and you’re probably wondering what the crew have been up to for the past week. As they made great time, the crew of Challenger 4 have been able to spend an extra few days exploring some of the sights and sounds, and certainly rum, of the Carribean… Read more
Land Ahoy!! The Finish Line Is In Site!
It’s all over, congratulations Challenger 4! They’ve run a good race, managing to beat Challenger 3. Rum punch and firm land await them. They’ve earned it! Monday 10 December Festivities Await After a night of squally clouds, heavy downpours and shifty winds we have made great speed and course towards Rodney Bay, St… Read more
The Perfect Honeymoon
Saturday 8th December We are still racing to the finish. 389 NM to go and we are neck and neck with Challenger 3. We continue to have interesting squalls rushing at us from behind: the latest measured 36 knots of true wind. Oh, how superb it is to be in this 72’ steel yacht,… Read more
Day 12: “One Squall After Another”
After a squall blows through, Skipper Ricky and Mate Kirstie have their work cut out for them trying to keep Challenger 4 going in a straight line as the squalls blow through and try to take her offline. The crew have to pull together and it’s all hands on deck helping out. Tiring work,… Read more
Day 11: They’re Having A Whale Of A Time!
Mate Kirstie’s Log Once More Unto The Breach Yesterday we had a 20ft-ish whale play alongside us for an hour, broaching several times – once right in front of the boat, as it continuously circled us and surfed waves. The whole crew watched and many videos (mainly of blue sea!) were captured. … Read more
