Your Experience

To compete in this once in a lifetime challenge you will need the ability to be versatile, dedicated, committed and a team player. You will also be enthusiastic about sailing and racing a yacht.

You will need to have done some sailing and ideally have some racing experience but this is not strictly necessary. You'll also need to have a reasonable level of fitness as racing can be physically demanding.

In return, completing this challenge will give you a huge sense of achievement - and hopefully a great result!

All applications will be fully considered and there is plenty of opportunity for learning on the training days and qualifying races. Please reach out to us to discuss your experience in full detail.

Our Campaign will provide the necessary training and sea time to ensure you as a crew are eligible for the Fastnet Race. The The race organiser, The Royal Ocean racing Club (RORC) stipulate that:

• the yacht and crew shall have at least 300nm of offshore racing or other appropriate milage within 1 year of the start of the Fastnet Race
• the crew shall have completed/attained a RYA/World Sailing Offshore Personal Survival certificate 

Our Campaign will provide the necessary training and sea time to ensure you as a crew meet these requirements and are therefore eligible for the Fastnet Race.

Click here to see how it went last time...

Join the 2027 Fastnet Crew

The Yacht. Option 1: A Challenger 72

The Challenger 72 is a steel yacht making it extremely strong and capable of withstanding ferocious conditions if needed. She is 72ft long and weighs (displaces) 48 tonnes. She has raced around the world twice and done a number of Fastnet races and Atlantic crossings.

She is equipped to a standard beyond that required by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and RORC. She provides an extremely safe environment within which to participate in an event such as the Fastnet Race.

The yacht is very hands on. Most things require at least 2 people so team work will be key.

Down below the yacht is comfortable and has a big airy saloon area, a well-equipped galley and two heads/showers. The sleeping area is made up of compartments with nice snug bunks.

Challenger 72 Fastnet Campaign Dates

A training week, 2 qualifying races and the race itself.

The Fastnet Campaign for the Challenger 72 involves a Sea Survival and Offshore Personal Survival Course, a 5 day training week followed straight on by a qualifying race, a second qualifying race and then the Fastnet Race itself.

Dates are as follows:

• 24-25 April: Sea Survival and Offshore Personal Survival Courses
• 26-30 April: Training Week
• 1-3 May: Cervantes Trophy Race
• 29-31 May: Myth of Malham Race
• 22 July - 1 August: Fastnet Race

(They are subject to change if RORC make any amendments - unlikely)

Be part of the 2025 Fastnet Crew - click here

Price and What's Included: Challenger 72

The price is £TBC

This can be paid in full or in three instalments. To discuss payment plans please contact the office

• Deposit of 25% at time of booking
• Interim payment of 40%
• Balance: 35%

Included within the price...

• All food on board
• Team Kit
• Race entrance fees
• Mooring fees
• Custom entry fees and insurance
• Use of foul weather gear

Not included

• Travel to and from the yacht (The Challenger 72 is berthed in Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth)

Want a deeper look at the race itself? Read our blogs on previous Fastnet Campaigns

This challenge is just one of many crew yacht racing adventures offered by First Class Sailing.

The Yacht. Option 2: A Farr 40

As an alternative to the Challenger 72 you have the option of a Farr 40, called Espresso Martini Too. She is 40ft long and weighs 5 tonnes. She has a comprehensive sail wardrobe.

She is equipped to a standard beyond that required by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the race organisers - the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC).

The yacht is very hands on and team work will be key.

Espresso Martini Too is a very exciting boat to sail, fast and competitive. She performs really well throughout the wind range and provides a great sailing platform from which to optimise the performance for all angles of sail.

Espresso Martini Too is a boat that rewards well for consistency and teamwork. The boat is light and so you will need to spend time sitting on the rail balancing the boat. You will get wet.

The galley is basic. The loo is basic. Snug bunks are arranged in the saloon and in the aft part of the boat on each side.

Click here to sign up

Farr 40 Fastnet Campaign Dates

A training weekend, 3 qualifying races and the race itself.

The program for the Farr 40 involves a meet and great session which provides an opportunity for us to meet you and you to meet the skipper and see the yacht, a Sea Survival and Offshore Personal Survival Course, a training weekend, 3 qualifying races and the Fastnet Race.

Dates are as follows:

• 5 February: Meet the yacht & Skipper
• 6-7 February: Sea Survival and Offshore Personal Survival Courses
• 20-21 March: Training Weekend
• 1-2 May: Cervantes Trophy Race
• 23-25 May: Myth of Malham Race
• 18-20 June: Morgan Cup Race
• 22 July – 31 July: Fastnet Race

(They are subject to change if RORC make any amendments - unlikely)

Price and What's Included: Farr 40

The price is £5497.

This can be paid in full or in three instalments. To discuss payment plans please contact the office

• Deposit of 25% at time of booking
• Interim payment of 40%
• Balance: 35%

Included within the price...

• All race entry fees
• All food on board
• Team kit
• Mooring fees
• Fuel & Gas
• Foul weather gear

Not included

• Insurance
• Travel to and from the yacht (Espresso is berthed in Shamrock Quay Southampton)

Want a deeper look at the race itself? Read our blogs on previous Fastnet Campaigns or catch up on the action from Espresso’s blog on preparing for the RORC Round Britain & Ireland Race 2026 for insights, stories, and preparation tips.