Mythical race around Great Britain
Highlights
- Participation in a competitive race: the Sevenstr Round Britain and Ireland Race
- Possibility to embark on a fast and extreme race type sailboat: Volvo 60
- Accompaniment by an excellent skipper and a recognized tactician
- Discovery of the Celtic Sea, its coasts and its plendid shades of colors
From Lorient, we embark as a crew member on board a Volvo 60 to drive to Cowes on the Isle of Wight to race the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race. Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, one of the most prestigious sailing clubs on the planet, the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race "is not a race like any other," says race director Chris Stone. It is a very difficult race in remote places with a lot of navigation work required, not to mention the tides. The Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland is not a race for novices. The Channel and Solent are the final stages of the race. We convoy the Volvo 60 back to Lorient.
Overview
Sevenstar RACE Round Britain & Ireland
The very first RORC Round Britain and Ireland began on 5 June 1976 in which the boats were divided into 2 divisions; Division I was a non-stop race and Division II a race with stops (Southsea – Crookhaven – Stornoway – Blyth – Southsea). In total, 25 competitors were at the start of the race (15 – Division I, 10 – Division II). The non-stop race was won by Electron II (RNSA) and the stop race by Morningtown (RG Hill).
In 1980, the race started on 5 July and ran as a completely non-stop race attracting 13 starters with Chica Tica II (Carlo di Mottola Balestra) taking the line and overall honours.
The 1992 and 1994 races included stops in the race. With the stages consisting of: Stage 1 – Cowes to Cork, Stage 2 – Cork to Lerwick, Stage 3 – Lerwick to Hartlepool, Stage 4 – Hartlepool to Cowes. The 1992 race was won by Deerstalker (Michael Taylor-Jones) and the 1994 race by Norma (Hans Peter Baum). The 1992 race attracted more participants (28) than in 1994 (15).
Sixteen boats in total started on 20 August with Incisor of Wight (Windward Sailing) leading the race.
Source: official site of my Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland
Learn more about https://roundbritainandireland.rorc.org/follow/gen...
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Lorient the night before departure
Day 1
Meet in Lorient at the boat.
Day 2: Departure from Lorient
Day 2
Departure from Lorient and convoying about 300 NM. This crossing to Cowes allows you to familiarize with the boat.
Days 3 to 5: Crossing and arrival at Cowes, race atmosphere
Day 3
Mandatory HQ course briefing. For the next four days, we are fully immersed in this incredible experience!
Day 6: Departure of the Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race
Day 6
Nearly 60 sailboats line up on the Royal Yacht Squadron for a sumptuous trip of the Solent (Isle of Wight), by the Needles, most often tacking. The regatta is sensational and tactical along the wild west coast of Ireland, to the northernmost point on the 61st parallel, before turning south across the North Sea and diving along the east coast of England.
Days 7 to 17: Race and arrival at Cowes
Day 7
Depending on the wind and weather, we will take between 10 and 11 days to complete this race. After the Solent and the Needles, the "salty" adventure continues in the Celtic Sea. On the wild west coast of Ireland, course marks are the Fastnet Rock and Mizen Head. The race on the Atlantic continues after Saint-Kilda, to the northernmost point of the course, Muckle Flugga on the 61st parallel. Then, turning south across the North Sea, the fleet dives along the east coast of England. The Channel and Solent are the final stages of the race.
The Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race is arguably one of the toughest pro-am races in the world. A fast and long race where each crew that takes the challenge deserves the admiration of every offshore sailor. The greatest achievement is to finish the race, a good result is a bonus. On arrival, we do not linger too much in Cowes and go back to Lorient.
Day 18: Arrival in Lorient
Day 18
We arrive on D18. It is best to plan a flexible return on the evening of D18 or more quietly on D19.
END OF EXPEDITION
For reasons that cannot be foreseen at this stage, such as unpredictable weather, the physical fitness or lack of fitness of participants or other circumstancess (customs formalities, road conditions, traffic, landslides, force majeure, etc.), your expedition leader may have to adapt the program, if necessary, to ensure the smooth running of your trip. He remains the sole judge and the one who guarantees your safety. Activity times are given as an indication and may vary from one participant to another.
The itinerary for all our expedition programs, or the ascent program for our high-mountain expeditions, are given here as a guide only. They are flexible enough to adapt to weather conditions with a few contingency days. In any case, you should follow the recommendations of your guide, who may suggest that you cancel your expedition due to weather, safety or physical conditions.
It is important to remember that this is a truly unsupported expedition, and that anything can happen. Expeditions Unlimited, your expedition leader, your guide or our local teams can in no way be held responsible.
Any costs incurred as a result of a change in the expedition schedule (extra nights' accommodation, extra flights) will be borne by the participants and not by the organizers. "Contingency days" refer to the expedition in the strict sense of the term (base camp/base camp in the mountains, departure point/exit point on a traverse, etc.).
Any early return of the expedition or of certain members only (early success, abandonment, etc.), generating costs for accommodation, meals, changes to air tickets or other activities not provided for in this program, will be charged in full to the participants.
Trip notes
Guiding
To take you on this adventure, we will be calling on a good second-in-command tactician, a professional ocean racer with a Figaro circuit background. The boat will be skippered by an experienced Capitaine 200 skipper.
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.
Meeting point
Meet the first day at the port of Lorient for those leaving from France.
For those already in England, go to the port of Cowes on the third day.
Given the diverse origins of the participants on this trip, international outward and return flights are not included in this package. In most cases, we book flights on your behalf to ensure that the whole group arrives at the destination at the same time. We do not charge any fees for these air bookings. Please do not hesitate to contact us. If you book your own tickets, we will advise you on the ideal flight schedule to enable all participants to arrive within a reduced time frame. At the very least, you need tickets that can be modified.
Accommodations
For sleeping and catering on board, it is the minimum wage! 14 bunks, a gas stove and a toilet. The navigation station is located on the back, under the cockpit. On the deck, double helm station and double columns of winches for the grinders! Hydraulic and ballasts complete the power on board.Rigged in sloop with carbon mast, the Volvo 60 has a large and varied wardrobe! The Volvo 60 is a large 64-foot monohull designed for the offshore. Skipped by four professional sailors, it embarks 10 crew members in offshore race. You are welcomed on board on the day of departure and can stay until your departure day at most on day 20.
THE BOAT
We participate in this mythical race on a monohull type Volvo 60, racing sailboat of 19.50 meters (64 feet). This large monohull is a high-performance, extreme boat, a Formula 1 of the seas with very spartan comfort. Designed to be strong and safe, these large sailboats are built for the high seas. Their large size is an asset to train and anticipate all situations at sea.
Meals
Meals at the port/ stopovers are not included to allow flexibility and pleasure in the choice of restaurants.
Regarding the meals on board, the supplies are made when we arrive on the boat. Classic sailor's food during convoying! Meals are prepared by everyone.
During the race, it is likely that we will consume individual freeze-dried meals to avoid taking out pans and pots! And it also allows you to eat at your own pace based on shifts.
Transfers / Transport
Transfers are not included for organizational reasons, as participants usually arrive in Lorient in dispersed order.
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
Personal equipment is not provided. However, a complete list is provided to allow you to check that you are taking what is necessary.
The only specific equipment required is :
- Jacket and pants
- Boots / deck shoes
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.
Dates currently being programmed
Alert me as soon as you set a datePrice includes
Accommodations tel qu’indiqués dans le programme. Guiding tel qu’indiqués dans le programme. Travel folder tel qu’indiqués dans le programme.
Price does not include
International flights. 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.
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