Sailing News
All the latest news from the world of sailing and stories from experienced sailors.
A short but action packed holiday, or spreading your RYA Competent Crew or Day Skipper course over two weekends, either way the bank holidays are perfect as you don’t need to use up any valuable days off work! And with the Easter break having two bank holidays, you can do a whole course and only… Read more
FCS Enter ‘Parade of Sail’ During Southampton Sailing Week
Southampton Sailing Week’s Parade of Sail from the River Itchen will look similar to Amsterdam’s It is time to celebrate the thrill of sailing and in May, First Class Sailing are getting involved with Southampton Sailing Week. Both of our yachts will enter the ‘Parade of Sail’ which is being billed as “the finest… Read more
Your First Time Round The Island Race
Join the FCS crew in 2019! If you’ve taken your Competent Crew course and are looking to have your first adventure then get a taste of ocean racing this summer by circumnavigating the Isle of Wight. The Round the Island Race is organised by the Island Sailing Club and has become a regular challenge… Read more
Celebrating 70th Anniversary of Thor Heyerdahl’s Kon-Tiki Expedition
When it comes to epic sailing adventures our thoughts always turn to the Norwegian Thor Heyerdahl, especially as 2017 marks the 70th anniversary of his Kon-Tiki expedition. On 28th April 1947, Thor and his crew of five left the coast of Peru on a simple raft made of balsa. Their destination was ‘the other… Read more
ARC 2016 – Day 18 – The First of the ‘Lasts’ is the Spinnaker
But which crew will be on the beach first? “We are going through the series of “lasts” at the moment, doing the last night watches and we have just had the “last supper”” Only One Short Cut to St Lucia Wednesday 7 Dec 2016: The last 24 hours have been very interesting, and somewhat… Read more
ARC 2016 – Day 17 – A Bubble of Light Storming Across the Atlantic
Enroute to St Lucia – will Challenger 3 make it across the line first? We must have looked a funny sight, a hive of action in our little bubble of light storming across the Atlantic Ocean in the darkness. Tuesday Morning 6th December 2016: Still flying the spinny, still with Ricky on the helm,… Read more
ARC 2016 – Day 16 – The ARC Race Is Truly On!
If you think this is close wait until you see 18:00! As this blog develops the race becomes more and more exciting, capturing the adventure of ocean racing and the spirit of the team! Monday 5th December: Morale remains high, despite the mysterious gain in ground by Challenger 2. Our blue Spinny is flying… Read more
ARC 2016 – Day 15 – Of Hoist and Hoof
A scene similar to this was performed by Challenger 3’s Skipper Ricky Chalmers Sunday 4th December 2016: Our head sails and kite have fared well, at least compared to the other Challengers who seem to have lost at least one sail each to the demands of an ocean crossing. However, in the fairly light… Read more
ARC 2016 – Day 14 – Peter Pan to the Rescue
Whilst clattering around up there he did his best impression of Peter Pan! The finish line is almost on the horizon but the adventure doesn’t stop as Skipper’s Mate Kirstie explains… Third Star to the Right… is a Tear in the Mainsail Sunday 4th December: Woken up for my 1800 watch, I was told… Read more
ARC 2016 – Day 13 – Fishing Spree
The variety of tasks on board ship during every voyage. The latest news from Challenger 3 involves the crew’s further attempts to gather a harvest from the sea. Saturday 2nd December: We have had a hand line out the stern of the boat for the last couple of days. On the first day of… Read more
