Rolex Fastnet
Campaign starts April and race starts 7th August 2005
Rolex Fastnet 2005: If there is a race you want to say you have done in the yachting calendar, then it is the Rolex Fastnet. It is one of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s most challenging races that allows people with all levels of experience to take part, as long as they have completed the pre-requisites.
Race Details:
The race starts in the Solent heading down towards the Needles and along the south coast of England past Land’s End; you then head across the waters around to the Fastnet Rock Lighthouse off the south coast of Ireland. On arrival at the infamous lighthouse you first sail around it, before sprinting towards the finish line off Plymouth – an overall course of about 610 miles.
Every year the race demands different skills due to weather. In the calmer years people have to keep their enthusiasm and concentration to a max in order to keep the boat speed up; so every tweak and tactical move is vital to avoid yachts passing and you keeping your place.   Then in the more windy years, teamwork is vital in order to ensure the safety of everyone and the yacht. Winds have been known to reach extremes, so this race is not for the light-hearted. But do not fear other years there has been a combination of all winds.    Packages: The packages available will ensure that you have all the necessary pre-requisites. The prices start from £2,500 per person for the full campaign. The factors that affect the price are what training is included and the yacht chartered for the event.   Pre-requisites: The skipper and half the crew must have completed on the yacht which they will race the Fastnet, in 12 months preceding the start: Ø        300 miles of RORC offshore racing or Ø        one RORC offshore race plus offshore racing or a non-stop passage making a total of at least 300 miles, or Ø        other qualifications similar to (2) above proposed in writing and agreed by the RORC   In addition: Ø        First Aid Certification – at least the skipper plus 2 crew members Ø        Sea Survival Certification – at least 50% of the crew shall have training or instruction in the use of life rafts. This should include a session spent in a pool with a life raft.   RORC Qualifying Races: These are selected from the RORC Race Calendar see Events Calendar. The actual races will be dependant on the package chosen.
Yachts & Power:
There are various yachts available for the Fastnet campaign; they are all insured and coded as necessary for their role. See Yachts & Power for more details on a selection of boats.   All the yachts we use are insured and if necessary, coded for racing. 1st Charters can assure that the skippers we use are all RYA Yachtmasters with commercial endorsement, and they will give priority to the safety of you, your guests and the yacht at all times.   How to Book: For further information relating to the packages available please contact 1st Charters.   We look forward to helping you join the Rolex Fastnet Campaign for 2005.     [Back to Top]