A mythical sailing cup organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club
Highlights
- Participate in a legendary sailing race
- Embark on a sturdy 21-metre yacht
- You are accompanied by an expert skipper backed up by a tactician
- Discover the Celtic sea, its coastline and its extraordinary shades of colour
Setting out from Lorient, you embark as a crew member aboard a Challenge 67 yacht to reach Cowes on the Isle of Wight where you will compete in the Rolex Fastnet race. Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), one of the world’s most prestigious sailing clubs, the Rolex Fastnet Race is a legendary crewed race with near on 300 yachts lined up to travel 608 nautical miles. A sensational and tactical race along the English coastline before crossing the Irish Sea and rounding the impressive Fastnet rock with its prominent lighthouse. The finish is at Plymouth. An extraordinary experience for all sailors, beginners and experienced alike, who want to discover the very latest in sailing techniques. You then take your Challenge 67 yacht back to Lorient.
Overview
The Fastnet Race is a yacht race contested between Cowes and Plymouth, via the Fastnet Rock lighthouse in the Irish Sea, off the tips of the south-west coast of England.
The very first Fastnet Race took place in 1925: a 605-mile regatta that has become legendary. Organised every other year by the RORC, the Fastnet Race was on the agenda of the Admiral's Cup.
It is probably one of the most challenging races in the sailing world: bad weather is frequent with the passage of many low-pressure systems, and the ocean can be extremely rough even in summer.
In the 1979 edition, the race weathered a storm still considered today as one of the most violent ever to take place in the area. On August 11th 1979, 303 yachts embarked at Cowes. The drama unfolded on August 14th when a gale-force storm decimated the fleet: 75 boats capsized, 5 sunk and 18 sailors lost their lives (15 participants and 3 sailors from another ship). In the words of Gérard Janichon in his book “Les riches heures de la voile”: “never before had a sailing race known such a tragedy”. The storm decimated the fleet over a period of eight hours. Of the 303 starters only 86 crossed the finishing line at Plymouth.”
In 2011, the first three boats in the race in the monohull category were VO70s, normally designed to compete in the Volvo Ocean Race. All three beat the 2007 race record. The first of them, Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), completed the race in 42 hours and 39 minutes.
In the multihull category, the Multi One Design Veolia Environment was the winner.
Inspired by the Fastnet Race, many races with the “Fastnet” rock as their destination have been organised starting from France. Moreover, the lighthouse is a regular landmark featuring in the “Solitaire du Figaro” and the “Mini-Fastnet” races.
Please find information about the race on Wikipedia by clicking here
And of course directly by clicking on www.fastnet.rorc.org
Courtesy of Royal Ocean Racing Club
Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN LORIENT THE EVENING BEFORE THE DEPARTURE
Day 1
Meeting point in Lorient on the boat.
DAY 2: DEPARTURE FROM LORIENT
Day 2
Setting off from Lorient for a journey of roughly 300 NM. This crossing to Cowes will enable the crew to get to grips with the boat.
DAYS 4 & 5: ARRIVAL AT COWES
Day 4 to 5
Compulsory briefing on the Fastnet race. For the next two days, you will enjoy a full immersion in this incredible experience!
DAY 6: DEPARTURE OF THE FASTNET RACE
Day 6
Near on 300 yachts ranging from 9 to 30 metres are aligned along the Royal Yacht Squadron for a splendid departure from The Solent (Isle of Wight) via the Needles channel, most often by tacking. The regatta is impressive and tactical as it sails along the English coastline before crossing the Irish Sea and rounding the impressive Fastnet rock with its prominent lighthouse. The finish is at Plymouth.
DAYS 8 to 11: ARRIVAL AT PLYMOUTH
Day 8 to 11
According to wind and weather, you will take between 2 ½ and 4 ½ days to cover the 608 NM of the race itinerary. The aim is primarily for you to enjoy yourselves and make the most of this unique opportunity, but why not also try to race against the other boats in your category (!), in particular the other Challenge yachts taking part in the race. On your arrival, a quick stop in Plymouth before leaving for Lorient.
DAY 12 : ARRIVAL AT LORIENT
Day 12
You will arrive on D12. We recommend that you schedule your return journey (flexible) on the evening of D12 or, better still, on D13.
END OF EXPEDITION
Traveling in polar regions requires flexibility, open mindedness, and a resilient understanding that the itinerary may change due to unstable weather conditions and wildlife movements in these remote regions of the world. Changes may occur due to 'Force Majeure', weather, ice conditions or other circumstances beyond our control or which simply cannot be foreseen. Expeditions Unlimited does not accept any responsibility for loss of enjoyment, delays or compensation resulting from circumstances beyond our control. Every attempt will be made to adhere to the program described within the limits of safety and time.
For unpredictable reasons at this stage, like adverse weather conditions or ice conditions, insufficient physical condition of participants, insufficient competencies of participants related to the intended activities, your guide may decide to adjust the intended program and/or activities. At all times, his decision will be final on all matters likely to affect the safety and well-being of the trip. No refund will be made.
We must not forget that this project remains a real expedition in complete autonomy and that all hazards are possible. Expeditions Unlimited may under no circumstances be held liable. Similarly, the expedition can be stopped at any time if the guide considers it necessary, either for the whole group or for some of the participants.
Trip notes
Guiding
Your guide
To accompany you in this adventure, we have secured the services of an excellent tactician as a second-in-chief, an offshore racing professional of the “Figaro circuit” type. The skipper of the boat will be an experienced captain 200-licensed shipmaster.
For unpredictable reasons at this stage, like adverse weather conditions, insufficient physical condition of participants, insufficient competencies of participants related to the intended activities, your guide may decide to adjust the intended program and/or activities. At all times, his decision will be final on all matters likely to affect the safety and well-being of the trip.
Difficulty level
Level rated: challenging
This expedition calls for regular practice of trekking the rest of the year or of another endurance sporting activity. It is accessible to anyone with a good physical condition.
This program is considered to be “moderate”, mainly to take weather-related hazards into account. Bad weather is always a possibility. The pace of this navigation journey also requires participants to be in good physical shape. While not requiring an excellent standard of sailing, you need a competitive spirit (and a sense of fun). Watches will be determined according to the weather and the pace of the race, between 2 and 4 hours. Everyone will take part.
A “World Sailing” 1 certificate (former French ISAF) or equivalent, obtained less than 5 years ago, is required for safety reasons. This is a 3-day course comprising:
- PSMer : first aid at sea, one day
- Survival at sea for a period of 2 days, including training exercises at sea (survival suit, raft capsizing, etc.)
We can provide you with addresses of approved centers in France in Lorient (CEPS) and the Glénans. The training course costs between 500 and 600 euros.
Last but not least, the French Sailing Federation (FFV) license is compulsory. We can issue you with it at a cost of 55 euros + 10 euros handling fees. You will need to provide a “fitness for sailing” medical certificate.
Accommodations
The yacht has 4 double and triple cabins and benches for a sleeping capacity of 10/12 persons not counting the crew. There are two bathrooms, two showers and two toilets on board (don’t forget that you are on a sailboat and must use water sparingly). You will be welcomed on board the day before the boat sails (evening of day 1) and can stay on it until the day you leave, no later than day 13.
Meals
Meals in the harbour and during stopovers are not included in the cost to give participants flexibility and the pleasure of choosing where they want to eat.
With respect to meals on board, the food is purchased before you arrive on the boat (OR “The food is purchased prior to your arrival”). Food is of the classic seafaring type when at sea! Meals are prepared by all on board. During the race, it is probable that you will eat individual freeze-dried portions to avoid getting out the pots and pans! This will also allow you to eat at your own rhythm according to your watches.
Group size
The group is composed of 5 to 10 participants maximum. The number of participants is deliberately limited to allow for greater immersion, to avoid embarrassing our hosts, and to develop freedom and flexibility. However, the maximum number may be exceeded if the last person to register wishes to travel with one or more other people. The services will not be modified, and the conditions of the trip will remain the same.
Equipment
Equipment
Personal equipment is not provided. However, a complete list is provided to allow you to check that you are taking what is necessary.
Departures and pricing
Please find below all dates and prices for this expedition. Prices are quoted "from" and may be adjusted notably according to the number of participants (see trip notes for details). Please note that dates and prices for years beyond 2024, when given, are for guidance only and are subject to change and readjustment to take account of current economic realities.
No date works for me!
I initiate a new datePrice includes
Transfers tel qu’indiqués dans le programme. Accommodations tel qu’indiqués dans le programme. Meals tel qu’indiqués dans le programme. Guiding tel qu’indiqués dans le programme. Equipment tel qu’indiqués dans le programme. Travel folder tel qu’indiqués dans le programme.
Price does not include
All accompaniments, accommodations or meals mentioned “not included” in the program. Drinks and personal “extras”. The “single” supplement or a different hotel category. Other supplements linked to a lower number of participants registered, your desire to customize or privatize the expedition. The mandatory expedition complementary insurance.
Your custom expedition
We put our expertise, our knowledge of the terrain, our creativity, our experience, the quality of our guides and the reliability of our partners at your service to build your custom expedition. We can also personalize an expedition to your wishes as soon as you form a "closed" group, whatever the number of participants.
This means that, unless you authorize us to do otherwise, no outside participants join you, and we can personalize your expedition by adapting it to your own pace, with the program extensions you desire, a higher level of comfort, certain activities, other encounters, etc.
Every expedition of this type is subject to a specific quotation. To get in touch with us now, please fill in the short questionnaire below. One of our experts will get back to you to refine your request and make you a proposal.
Explore all our expeditions and training programs in Europe
Introductory and advanced mountaineering courses in the Alps
Climb Monte Rosa at 4554 meters in the Alps
