As crew you must race over 300 miles with your intended Fastnet crew and yacht, during the 12 months prior to the race. The Rolex Fastnet is an endurance yacht race and is not easy. You need commitment and enthusiasm to do well. During the course of the training and the race itself you will develop and use all your sailing and communication skills and you will find the campaign a personal challenge, but also immensely satisfying when you complete it. Our aim is to make sure that everyone has fun and enjoys the challenge.
Exact dates and timings for the 2011 campaign will appear hear later
Training weekend one in April
Commences 1800 Friday in April 2011 / Return 1600 Sunday April 2011
The weekend is spent looking at safety systems on the boat and the procedures to deal with incidents including fire fighting, flares, life rafts, life jackets, dismasting, storm jibs, man overboard, gas. The weekend is the first chance for the whole team to meet the skipper and each other. It is important that we can work well as a team and the dynamics of this are covered within the first weekend. Not forgetting the need to get some sailing in as well
Optional qualifying Race 1 - Cervantes Trophy - April - 100 -150 miles
Commences 18:00 Friday for a start on Saturday in May 2011 / Returns May Bank holiday Monday
This race takes us across the Channel to Le Havre, and is designed to last between 24 and 36 hours. This race weekend will give the Fastnet team a chance to get some early qualifying mileage under their belts at the start of the race season. The race commences early on Saturday off Cowes and the course takes yachts East out of the Solent, then West along the coast to Eddystone Rock off Plymouth before racing back along the same course to finish at the Western end of the Solent.
Training weekend two in May
Commences 1800 Friday 29 May 2009 / Return Sunday
This weekend concentrates on the yacht's sailing systems and includes reefing and spinnaker work. We cover some of the race regulations and rules and sail some distance over the course of the weekend to Weymouth and back for example. We also look at the way the boat is run whilst at sea for an extended period. Maintenance of the ship's log and chart work are also covered.
Optional qualifying Race 1 - Myth of Malham Race (Round Eddystone Race) May - 264 miles
Commences 18:00 Friday for a start on Saturday in May 2011 / Returns May Bank holiday Monday
The race commences early on Saturday off Cowes and the course takes yachts East out of the Solent, then West along the coast to Eddystone Rock off Plymouth before racing back along the same course to finish at the Western end of the Solent. A challenging race that takes along the first quarter of the Fastnet course.
In 2009 there were very light winds over most of the weekend and along with half fleet, one of our two boats had to retire on the bank holiday Monday due to work commitments of the crew. The second boat managed to finish at 1 am on the Tuesday. There were nine boats behind, but on adjusted time we came 71st.
Optional qualifying Race 2 - De Guingand Bowl Race - June -100 to175 miles
Commences 1800 Friday in June 2011 for a start on Saturday / Return Sunday
A race from Cowes heading west, but with a variable course to suit the conditions with the aim of producing a 24 to 36 hour race.
In 2009 the course took us out to the East of the Isle of Wight, around the Nab Tower, then West to the Shambles just South East of Portland Bill before returning to the finish just West of Hurst Narrows. Overnight there were more light winds and we drifted around in the fog for several hours just South West of the Needles before the wind finally kicked in. Thankfully the course was shortened slightly and an additional leg to Poole and back was dropped.
Optional qualifying Race 3 - Morgan Cup - June - 75 to175 miles
Commences 18:00 Thursday in June for a start on Friday / Completes Sunday with return on Sunday or Monday
The Morgan Cup starts at Cowes and finishes in Cherbourg with a flexible course around marks in the Channel at the RORC and Ocean Safety buoys to produce a 24 to 36 hour race. If you need to get back in a hurry from Cherbourg, you may prefer to catch one of the commercial ferries that run direct to Portsmouth.
In 2009 light winds were forecast so the race took us East to Owers Buoy just south of Selsey Bill, then direct to Cherbourg. We made good progress through the night and in the morning we were within sight of Cherbourg when the wind died. To prevent us drifting back in the tide, we anchored in 65m of water with the tide running at 4 knots against us, it felt like we were motoring across a flat sea, but we were actually going nowhere. At least it was a chance for the crew to catch up on their suntans. After 5 hours, we pulled up the anchor and started making progress again to eventually finish around 7, just in time for a meal in France.
Optional qualifying race 4 - Cowes Dinard St Malo Race - July - 164 miles
Commences 18:00 Thursday in July for a start on Friday / Completes Sunday with a return on Sunday or Monday
This race starts at midday on the Friday, so you will need the day off. The course is from Cowes West out of the Solent then across the Channel passing Guernsey to Port before heading down to St Malo. If there is no time for the return leg during the weekend, crew may wish to take the ferry home although the yachts will be returning by sea as soon as possible and you can stay with them at no extra cost.
In 2009 we had a lively start with choppy seas around the Needles before things calmed down mid Channel. Off Casquets light we got in close to make the most of the tide and similarly off the North coast of Guernsey. From there the wind stayed light, but we continued to male progress despite the rain that took visibility down to zero. We finally crossed the line in the early hours of Sunday morning and instead of going to St Malo, we headed for Guernsey where we spent an agreeable day relaxing in the sun. When the tide returned in the evening we departed for a 'Champagne' sail north, arriving back in Gosport at lunchtime on Monday.
Optional Non-qualifying Race 5 - The Channel Race - July - 75 to175 miles
Commences 18:00 Friday in July for a start on Saturday / Competes Sunday
The Channel Race starts at Cowes and covers a variable course designed to last between 24 and 36 hours.
In 2009 the course left the Solent to the East passing Owers and then to Royal Sovereign off Eastbourne. It was a downwind run all the way and we had some fantastic surfing at up to 12 knots. From there we turned Southwest to pass SC1 buoy out in the Channel. This was another frustrating few hours as the wind died and we could not make progress on either tack. But at 1:30 am, the wind shifted, we freed the sails and were on our way again. By mid morning the wind had built considerably and we had another great sail back to the finish of Gilkicker point at around 10, just in time to eat our cooked breakfast.
