The French Fastnet
Highlights
- Participate in a legendary competition race: the “French Fastnet”.
- Embark on a racing yacht: Volvo 60
- Discover the Isles of Scilly in Ireland, then the Brittany coastline
- Accompanied by an excellent skipper and renowned tactician
- Discover the English Channel and the Celtic Sea, its coasts and splendid shades of color.
Leaving Lorient, we embark as a crewmate aboard a Volvo 60 to Cherbourg, from where the Drheam Cup will set off to race the “French Fastnet”. Organized by Jacques Civilise since 2016, this fourth edition is clearly positioned as the French Fastnet. It alternates with the prestigious Rolex Fastnet Race, which takes place once every two years in odd-numbered years. The first part of the race takes place in the Channel, via Shamble West. We then round the Scilly Mountains via Wolf Rock to “climb” into the Irish Sea and round the impressive Fastnet Rock with its lighthouse. Then it is down to the Isles of Scilly, with a Drheam/Ouessant course marker. The last part of the race finishes off or along the Brittany coast, passing the BXA buoy before crossing the finish line anchored off La Trinité-sur-Mer.
Overview
DRHEAM CUP 1000 RACE
The DRHEAM CUP 100 / GRAND PRIX DE FRANCE DE COURSE AU LARGE (French ocean racing Grand prix) was created in 2016 by Jacques CIVILISE, in response to a need for an “OPEN”, French, summertime Grand Prix offshore yacht race, open to many types of monohull and multihull boats, and to professional and amateur sailors.
The DRHEAM-CUP / GRAND PRIX DE FRANCE DE COURSE AU LARGE (French ocean racing Grand prix) is a major nautical event with high added value, recognized since its 2nd edition as the French reference in the concert of “OPEN” international Grandes Courses au Large, all over 600 nautical miles, such as: The FASTNET-RACE, England; The MIDDLE SEA RACE, Italy; The SYDNEY-HOBART RACE, Australia; The CARRIBEAN 600, Antigua.
The event is based on a powerful, unifying concept and values, which are the Race's DNA: the Development of Human Relations, as expressed by the acronym DRHEAM: Développement des Relations Humaines et Applications Management. It is organized on the basis of the triptych “Competition, Sharing, Celebration”. Competition, with the declared aim of becoming a benchmark event in the category of major ocean races, like the Rolex Fastnet Race, run in odd-numbered years, whereas the DRHEAM-CUP takes place in even-numbered years. Sharing, with the principle of an open event, i.e. open to all boats, all formats, double-handed and crewed, and all publics, amateurs and professionals, men and women, with a particular emphasis on young people via the RÊVES de LARGE operation. Last but not least, celebration is the DNA of this summer event, which its host towns – Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, Cotentin, the Manche department and the Normandy region on the one hand, and La Trinité-sur-Mer and Morbihan on the other – are delighted to host in a spirit of conviviality capable of bringing together as many people as possible.
Source: Drheam Cup official website
Find out more at https://drheam-cup.com/la-drheam-cup/la-drheam-cup...
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Lorient the day before departure
Day 1
We meet in Lorient at the boat.
Day 2: Departure from Lorient and arrival in Cherbourg
Day 2
Departure from Lorient and conveying on about 300 NM. This crossing to Cherbourg allows you to take control of the boat and get to know each other and assess each other’s levels.
Days 3 & 4: Race atmosphere in Cherbourg
Day 3
Days 5 & 6: Drheam trophy prologue
Day 5
A prologue of 15 to 25 minutes will be run from Cherbourg. This coastal course will allow each crew member find its marks on board, kind of heating tower in race condition, before taking the wide 48 hours later to run the DRHEAM CUP 1000!
Day 7: Departure of the Dhream Cup race
Day 7
Nearly 100 sailboats line up on three courses, to take account of the differences in speed of the boats: the course called DC 400 (IRC, Osiris, Mini 6.50, Multi 2000, Yachts classiques and Figaro Bénéteau 3), the course called DC700 (Multi50, Imoca, Class40 and large monohulls) and the route called DC 1000. We are engaged on the course called DC 1000: in the class Open Grand Monocoque. Imoca, Ocean Fifty and other Class 40s are also registered on this route. The finish line ends in Cherbourg-en-Contentin.
Days 8 to 12: Race and arrival in La Trinité-sur-Mer
Day 8
The first part of the race takes place in the Channel, via Shamble West. We then go around the Scilly via Wolf Rock to "go up" into the Irish Sea and wind up the impressive rock of the Fastnet planted with its lighthouse. Then, it is the "descent" on the Scilly islands with a course mark Drhream/ Ouessant. The last part of the race ends off or along the coast of Brittany to pass the buoy BXA before crossing the finish line in front of La Trinité-sur-Mer. We are in a logic of fun and discovery but the spirit of competition is essential to engage as a team in such an event, whatever your level. The estimated arrival of the first boats is on day 10. After the race, the return navigation will be carried out in a convoy from La Trinité-sur-Mer to Lorient.
Day 13: Arrival in Lorient
Day 13
We arrive on D13. It is best to plan a flexible return on the evening of D12 or more quietly on D13.
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 Captain 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.
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! At the front, you will be spoilt for choice: staysail, J1, J2, genoa, main genoa, assymetric spinnaker, symmetric spinnaker. The mainsail is when it «full batten»
The Volvo 60, 19.50m racing sailboat with professional crew. This VOR60 was designed and built to race the Volvo Ocean Race 2001-02, the crewed race around the world. Engaged under the name of Djuice Dragons,she was skipped by Knut Frostad, with as Chief of Shift Thomas Coville and Jean-Yves Bernot as Navigator.
This racing sailboat is a high-performance, extreme boat, a Formula 1 of the seas with very spartan comfort. This demanding and powerful unit is now aligned with the offshore race starts, calibrated in IRC 0 (Rolex Fastnet Race, Armen Race, Tour de Belle Ile, Rolex Middle Sea Race, Voiles de Saint-Tropez, Transat,...).
THE BOAT
Extremely seafaring and fast, this large 64-foot monohull is built for the open sea. Skippered by four professional sailors, the Volvo 60 takes 10 crew members on a offshore race. When sailing on a day trip it can accommodate 12 crew members.
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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