Sailing News

All the latest news from the world of sailing and stories from experienced sailors.

Do you dream of sailing through the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean sea, the warm breeze in your hair? Well, you’re in luck. At First Class Sailing we offer all the courses you need to gain the skills and experience to charter a yacht and sail around the Mediterranean. We’ll teach you the ins Read more

Day 14 on the ARC – The finishing post is in sight. What an adventure it has been.

Sunday 6th December Race Day 14 The last day in the Atlantic Another fine sunrise in paradise, revealing a beautiful blue sky, and already warm at 0830 so going to be hot, hot, hot! Despite the reality of not being able to catch challenger 1, the Challenger 3 crew are still very focused on making Read more

Day 13 on the ARC, 315nm to go, fast downwind sailing in warm t-shirt and shorts weather

Saturday 5th December Race Day 13 It was another hot and humid day out in the Atlantic, that started with freshly baked bread and an amazing fruit salad….but our supply of fresh fruit and veg is now nearly depleted. Spirits however are still high and there has been a change in mood as everyone is Read more

Race Day 12 on the ARC: Crew Feels the Need for Speed in Tricky Conditions

Friday 4th December The day started with some strong winds that would continue to grow throughout the day. Much to Kirsty’s dismay, a top speed challenge was introduced just as she headed below deck for her day, alongside Jerry, on Mother Watch. Mark set the bar within the Starboard Watch, to be trumped first by Read more

Race Day 11 on the ARC: Rocket Rosie and Sails set for Sunday

Thursday 3nd December: Yesterday was quite chaotic on-board the Challenger 3. After a night of fun helming, the poo pipe on the starboard side was conquered. The open water is not the ideal place for the general bathroom facilities to go faulty, especially when no sailor wants to do the job. Dave and I volunteered Read more

Race Day 10 on the ARC – The 3am Birthday Party and Sailing the Gusts

Wednesday 2nd December 2015: Last night we listened to our first Christmas Carols! DJ Dave’s jolly and never ending selection of Christmas tunes blasted out from the snake pit’s (area where many ropes are controlled from situated in the middle of the deck) speakers. Everyone sang along to the Poges and Ave Maria. Glad he Read more

Day 9 on the ARC – No need for an alarm clock. Or shoes. And are the crew down to one loo?

Tuesday 1st December Race Day 9 A word from the ARC Crew After more than a week into our journey it is hard to imagine seeing anything other than the ocean, the sky and our 70 foot home. Even a container ship on the horizon a few days ago looked odd! It is also difficult Read more

Day 8 on the ARC ­ Halfway Across the Atlantic

News about the halfway party, the sky and night and messages from the crew to their loved ones. Monday 30 Nov Race Day 8 We’ve made it half way! We have been at sea for 8 days now and our lives have become an endless series of watches followed by a maximum of three hours’ Read more

Day 7 on the ARC – Flying Fish, Sunsets and Chocolate Brownies

Race Day 7: It was another hard day at the office. Calm seas and sunshine were the order of the day. Sun cream all around. Really tough. Good progress being made on “our strategy” just hope the wind knows! Crew morale is high and Challenger 1 is very much in everyone’s sights, focus, focus, focus…… Read more

Day 6 on the ARC – will the cunning plan pay off?

Saturday 28 Nov Race Day 6 A word from the crew Day 6 here on Challenger 3 has been quite eventful.  The morning started with Lucia finding and disposing of a few flying fish that had decided to make the deck their new home.  Once we had a fish free area it was time to Read more