Sailing News
All the latest news from the world of sailing and stories from experienced sailors.
Dolphins like these! Thursday 24 November: As I am typing I can hear the sound of feet on the deck, sheets being ground on and grunts of happiness, I think its happiness anyway, as Nic’s watch grind the Yankee over in preparation to gybe, drop the starboard pole and raise the port pole and re-set the… Read more
ARC 2016 – Day 5 – Downward Sailing, Dancing And Dolphins!
75th in All Boats, 7th in Racing B In this blog it’s an update from Bill, Kirstie and Captain Ricky Chalmers Fourth day and no signs of mutiny yet. The food has remained exceptional with Ricky keeping a watch on our budding Escoffiers who can create masterpieces at 45 degrees of tip. We pulled ahead… Read more
ARC 2016 – Meet the FCS Crew – Nic Allen
“I love the wall-to-wall night skies on an ocean passage.” Nic Allen This Hampshire GP is now four days into this high-profile transatlantic race having returned to the thrill of ocean racing. Nic Allen, 53, a watch leader, is an NHS general practitioner in Fareham and forms part of an expert quartet that is… Read more
ARC 2016 – Day 4 – Pineapples, Potatoes and a Yankee or Two?
75th in All Boats, 7th in Racing B In this blog it is Bill’s turn to give us some words from the crew followed by captain Ricky Chalmers Third day out. We are well ahead of Challenger 2 and 4; we a on a northerly course so morale is high in this highly competitive crew.… Read more
ARC 2016 – Meet the FCS Crew – Andrew Northall
A former McDonald’s employee from Birkenhead is part of the FCS crew and only left his job two weeks ago! Andrew Northall, 22, is one of the watch leaders and former floor manager at the fast food chain. He’s part of the expert quartet guiding the crew, which includes skipper is Ricky Chalmers, mate Kirstie… Read more
ARC 2016 – Day 3 – Take The Helm Speed Challenge
Take the Helm Challenge This is the third blog to arrive from Challenger 3 and is written by Mate Kirstie Rowe 22 Nov. 16 Well, after wishing for wind… we got it! After clinging on to my bunk like a bat at 4am and debating popping my head on deck, a patter of feet announced… Read more
ARC 2016 – Day 2 – Already It’s A Breeze
This is the second blog to arrive from Challenger 3 and is written by Skipper Ricky Chalmers Well, Monday morning dawned with the lighter winds as forecast. The fleet seems divided how to cope with them. Lots have chosen to stay on or return to a Port Gybe and try and get out of the… Read more
ARC 2016 – Day 1 – And We’re Off!
Finally at Sea This is the first blog to arrive from Challenger 3 and is written by Deckhand Ralph Goodchild and Skipper Ricky Chalmers And We’re Off! At last… some of us had been in Las Palmas for 10 days or more (not to mention those among the crew who delivered the boat), and the… Read more
ARC 2016 – Meet the FCS Crew – Helena Sandberg
Meet the FCS Crew – Helena Sandberg A Swedish sailor is one of the FCS crew participating in the ARC Rally, the renowned two-week transatlantic yacht race. Originally from Tidaholm in Sweden, Helena Sandberg, 32, is now living in central London and was tempted to compete in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) by the… Read more
Atlantic Challenge 2017 – Three Voyages: Three Adventures
With the popularity of the ARC Rally (Canaries to the Caribbean) growing we have created the Atlantic Challenge, extra voyages for the end of 2017 that if completed, would see you sailing over 9,000 miles in under four months. Each leg of the Atlantic Challenge has aspects to it that will test your skills and… Read more
