Sailing News

Ricky Chalmers (in the red jacket) the Skipper of the Challenger 2 Following yesterday’s exciting blog “Skipper’s Log: To The Fastnet Rock in 2015” here is Ricky Chalmers’ account of how they rounded the Fastnet Rock and tried to seal second place in their race with the other Challenger yachts. All part and parcel of… Read more

Here is a very exciting blog from Challenger 2 skipper Ricky Chalmers, who is guiding the First Class Sailing crew to the Fastnet Rock and back. As you will see it was quick a hairy start at Cowes and then a high degree of seamanship to find wind and battle the tides. All part and… Read more

Known for its fame and size, the Fastnet Race is probably the largest of its type. In fact, it is so popular, that in 2013 the 340 positions were filled 24 minutes after opening. Organisers have raised the number of places in 2015 to 350 due to increased demand, meaning more boats are to take… Read more

It won’t be long before we’re sailing out of the Solent and racing towards the Fastnet Rock but before the First Class Sailing team reaches that point a lot of team building and preparation has to take place. We’ve already had the all important Sea Survival course, not that anyone is planning to need it,… Read more

The Rolex Fastnet Race is one of the most exciting in the sailing calendar. It attracts competitors from across the world, in vessels of all sizes and designs. Now in its 90th year, the race continues to grow in popularity, with over 300 entrants registering to compete in this year’s event in the first 24… Read more

While uber fast state of the art catamarans were winning the Fastnet Race last week, an interesting catamaran was being lifted out of the water in Shamrock Quay for some routine maintenance and the odd modification. A rather prettily named Wharram Cat, TK 26 called LyoLyok built by current owner Steve Duke three years ago… Read more

The crew of Challenger 3 finally sail around the Fastnet Rock! Its every sailor’s ambition to do so, but is it what they expected? Here is their account… 00:10, Emma at the helm (keyboard!). So we are fast approaching the Fastnet Rock- about 35 NM as the albatross flies now. We have been hit with… Read more

As they sail towards the Fastnet Rock the crew’s blog gives a great account of life aboard Challenger 3 Tuesday afternoon: Hi Tony here. Scrumpy watch just finishing after an uneventful morning where the highlight was watching Igor trying to take a photo. The Dolphins who had clearly not read the script and refused to… Read more

Latest update from the Guinness and Scrumpy watches on board Challenger 3 Monday 12/8 It looks as if the wind is going to dictate our passage around Lands End as being South of the Scilly Isles. We are the furthest Southern boat in the fleet by the looks of things on AIS, so a nice… Read more