Start:Cowes, UK
Finish:Plymouth, UK
Rolex Fastnet Race — легендарная 600-мильная офшорная гонка между Англией и Ирландией, которая проходит в открытом море. Это одна из самых сложных офшорных гонок в мире, если не самая сложная. Участвовать в ней и тем более победить — цель любого серьёзного спортсмена в мире. Rolex Fastnet Race с 1925 года проводит один из старейших яхтенных клубов Великобритании, Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC).
Дистанция, преодолеваемая участниками, составляет 608 морских миль или 1126 км. Эта протяжённость считается классической для таких крупных регат. Стартуют яхты из гавани города Коуз, остров Уайт. Дальше экипажи идут вдоль южного побережья Британии, доходят до берега Ирландии, там огибают скалу Фастнет и идут обратно, чтобы финишировать в Плимуте. Несмотря на кажущуюся простоту, на самом деле Фастнет Рейс — тяжелейшая регата. Она стартует в середине августа — как раз в то время, когда в Атлантике у британского побережья начинается самая непогода. В таких условиях без остановок пройти тысячекилометровую дистанцию необычайно трудно.
18:00 — брифинг капитанов в the Parade, Cowes. Максимум 2 члена команды могут принять участие.
12:20 — старт гонки, первый предупредительный сигнал, RYS Cowes.
Окончание гонки в Rolex Fastnet Race Village, Plymouth Yacht Haven, Shaw Way, Mount Batten, Plymouth
17:00 — Церемония награждения, Plymouth (Плимут).
Yes, of course. There will be an experienced skipper and team members on the yacht. They will give you a role and teach you everything you need to know to be a useful team member and feel comfortable.
Yes, all team members will definitely try themselves in different roles to better understand each other. Standing at the helm is an integral part of training for beginners as well as setting sails, and helping the team during moorings.
As a rule, participants in the regatta live on the yacht. The boat has everything you need for a comfortable stay: nice beds, a kitchen, a shower with toilet. If you do not want to live on a yacht, then you can arrange to stay at the hotel onshore.
The crew decides altogether what kind of food they prefer to eat and makes necessary purchases. Simple dishes can be cooked, usually taking turns. Some regattas offer daily meals and intensive evening program for all crews.
We can make an invitation for a visa, but you need to apply for a visa by yourself.
Most people tolerate some seasickness easily. If you feel that you are starting to feel sick, it is best to get at the steering wheel or tune the sails. Get yourself busy, show your body that you don’t have time to get sick, you have to fight for victory in the race. There are also many quite effective medicines from sickness. If you start taking them in advance, then the probability of seasickness is almost zero.
Before each trip, we organize an online meeting where participants get to know each other and the captain. The captain will answer all your questions. The crew will have a group chat so you can get to know each other before the start of the regatta. Then you will meet in the marina.
The main rule is to dress comfortably and according to the weather. Clothing: • windbreaker and pants or shorts; • shirt/jacket with UV protection (thermal underwear and fleece); • adjustable hat/cap; • gloves. We recommend to purchase a long-sleeved jacket with UV protection in order to protect yourself from the sun and strong wind. Yachting shoes should be: • light, with non-slip white outsole; • with the fixed heel; • with a tightly closed nose. During the sailing without shoes, you can fall or injure your fingers and feet on the deck. There are many protruding parts on the boat that are easy to catch. Unfortunately, even experienced sailors are not protected from unpleasant injuries when they ignore this simple rule.