Sailing News
All the latest news from the world of sailing and stories from experienced sailors.
Challenger 3 spinnaker August 11TH 2017 – Highlights of the race so far from Trevor and Beth plus news on the continual battle between Challenger 3 and Challenger 4 Still Leading… Dear reader, We are heading for the Lizard. Spinnaker aloft, flying beautifully, despite having been torn in the night. Given that our arch rivals… Read more
Rolex Fastnet 2017: Finally, The Rock!
Thursday 10th August – Bruce, Julian and the mate Kirstie report on rounding the Rock, the chances of bashing into the Rock if at least one person doesn’t get involved in taking photos and frustrating calms. The Fastnet Rock as seen in 2009. 2017 picture coming soon! The problem with a long Fastnet race (as… Read more
Rolex Fastnet 2017: Eat, Sleep, Sail, Repeat… Delirium sets in
Today’s Mother Watch Firas and Niki describe a crew on the edge.. Starboard watch have been keeping themselves entertained by playing the cloud game and looking for shapes in the big fluffy clouds in the sky. There was a mad hatter’s tea party, and then Adam spotted a shark eating a cat, Niki and Beth… Read more
Rolex Fastnet 2017: Challenger 4 close on our heels!
Tuesday 8th August 2017 – Squalls, Spooky Fishing Trawlers, Dolphins, Sail changes and Challenger 4 trying to catch up. Challenger 3 Mother Watch Steve and Alessandro report. A relatively sedate and stable ride during the night with the Genoa now flying for 24 hours in variable winds, with boat and crew well balanced… ok the… Read more
Rolex Fastnet 2017: Tacking! A Busy Start to the Race
Monday 7th August 2017 – Lots of tacking, countless sail changes, ripped staysail – all in the first 24 hours of the Fastnet. Challenger 3 Mate Kirstie Louise Rowe reports… It seems hard to believe that we left Cowes just yesterday! In true race fashion a lot has happened and time has warped and stretched.… Read more
Rolex Fastnet 2017: Sunday Morning Prep
Sunday 6 August 2017 – The 2017 Rolex Fastnet Race is about to start. Skipper Ricky CHalmers reports on how the crew of Challenger 3 are getting on with their last minute preparations. Storm Sails are Rigged Last minute preparations are being done on and below deck for the Fastnet 2017 race which starts… Read more
The Wind is the Myth of Malham
Crew of Challenger 3 on deck during Myth of Malham The training continues, the tactics and race are planned, the crew ready for anything and last weekend in the Myth of Malham everything was thrown at FCS crew on Challenger 3, everything apart from the wind. The ‘Myth’ is part of the qualifying process… Read more
Close Finish for FCS Crew in Cervantes Trophy Race
Preparing for the Rolex Fastnet in August, the First Class Sailing crew will enter three races and last weekend they competed in the opener – the Cervantes Trophy Race. Below is skipper Ricky Chalmers’ report of how the action unfurled and how the FCS crew fared on their first real test. Crew Bonding And Jockeying… Read more
FCS Fastnet Team Prepares for Cervantes Trophy Race
With their Sea Survival and ISAF courses under their belts just before Easter, the First Class Sailing crew held their first training weekend aboard Challenger 3 in preparation for the Cervantes Trophy Race. This race to Le Harve is organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club in association with the Société des Régates and… Read more
Next Year is a Fastnet Year
2017 marks the next Fastnet Race – an offshore yacht race which takes place every other year off the South Coast. Kicking off from Cowes on the Isle of Wight and terminating at Plymouth, Fastnet is a particularly challenging race, testing the boat and the crew, inshore and offshore skills and speed potential. Once in… Read more
