ROLEX FASTNET RACE 2011

ROLEX FASTNET RACE 2011

REGIONAL FOCUS, UK

! BRISTOL, AVON

EDITH GRAY, PILOT CUTTER, JOHN RAYMOND-BARKER

Edith Gray is a new boat launched this year by RB Boatbuilding Ltd of Bristol who also built Morwenna which is also taking part in the Rolex Fastnet this year.

She is based on the smaller Pilot Cutters of the Bristol Channel, which were renowned for their seaworthiness and reliability and are reputed to be at the pinnacle of working sailing boat design. Edith Gray is traditionally built, larch on oak with bronze and copper fastenings. She has a Gaff Cutter rig with roller furling on the main and jibs set flying. Builder John Raymond-Barker will be racing her with six other crew although she will comfortably sleep nine. She has a full size chart table and a large galley with hot and cold running water and “Best of all is the woodburning stove that can be kept alight whilst sailing for those chilly nights or winter days,” says John. LOA: 38' 6", Beam: 11' 6", Draft: 7'6", Displacement: 17 tonnes - www.wildsailing.co.uk!

CHESHIRE ! LAURA, Sovereign 400, Richard Stain:

Built in Skipper Richard Stain’s back garden in Cheshire over a period of 7 years, Laura is possibly the only home-build in the race. Her hull is a Sovereign 400, by Rob Humphries, purchased second-hand in Cornwall.

“Launched in 2005, Laura has done several races, including the 3 Peaks yacht race and the 2009 Fastnet where she finished in the middle of the fleet. The crew includes Mike Curtis and Welshman, Carl Davies who Richard met in the 3 Peaks. Mike has his own Sigma 38 and we did the Scottish Isles Peaks race in it just a month ago, coming 14th out of 43. Carl is a fisherman out of Conwy - gets some great lobsters and prawns. Doesn’t mind a bit of weather - handy chap to have on a boat. Ed Simmons, a friend of my son, competed once in the laser world championships. A great sail trimmer. Yury Volkovoy is fairly new to sailing, getting lots of experience very quickly. Chuck from Canada may also take part.

I’ve been sailing for 20 years, since I was 40. Did the ARC in my little Sadler 29, 3 Peaks yacht race twice (Came 2nd in Tilman Trophy in 2007). Fastnet in 2009.”

Explaining why he enjoys the Fastnet, Richard commented: “I love the camaraderie of it all, and the competitiveness. Being a handicap race anyone can win, in theory. Laura is a cracking boat and if we get a blow she can do very well. We have high hopes of doing very well in our class. How would that be for a home built boat!” ROLEX FASTNET RACE 2011

CORNWALL ! FALMOUTH - Cornish sailors embody true Corinthian spirit of Rolex Fastnet Race:

Robin Elsey – Yeoman of Wight/BKA, J/109 One of the youngest crew members in the Rolex Fastnet Race, this 18 year old from Falmouth is in the 6th Form at Truro school. Robin has been a member of the British Keelboat Academy, a partnership between the RYA and UKSA, since last winter. He was a member of the RYA Volvo National Laser Standard Youth Squad and competed in many World Championships in Toppers, Laser Radial and Laser Standard.

His thoughts about competing in the Rolex Fastnet Race: "It will be a fantastic experience to be able to compete in the Rolex Fastnet Race as it is one of the most important ocean races in the world as well as one of the most difficult. My dream is to compete in the Volvo Ocean Race and I see this as a key stepping stone to complete that ambition."

Robin Edwards – British Beagle, Sigma 36 Robin Edwards, who is also based in Falmouth and a well-known face among the Cornish sailing fraternity, will be co-skippering and sailing double-handed on the Sigma 36 British Beagle. As co-skipper Charles Emmett puts it: "He has a list of trophies that most could only dream of and he is probably the best helmsman I have ever sailed with”. He helmed British Beagle to honours in 2010 in the top PY class in Falmouth Week. In 2008 and 2009 he won his class in Falmouth Week in his GK 24 ‘Hooligan’ and then went on to win Fowey Week helming a Sadler 34 ‘Hawk’. In 2009 he was also awarded ‘Top Yacht’ over all fleets in Falmouth Week for the most wins. Over the last 10 years, he has won countless regattas since winning the SW championships in his Ajax ‘Nemesis’ as an 18 year old.

Lt Col Nick Bate – British Soldier, A40 Lt Col Nick Bate, will be skippering the Army Sailing Association's British Soldier, an Archambault 40. She is sailed by a squad of around 100 serving soldiers on return from operational tours, offering them a chance to race offshore when on leave or between jobs. Nick himself has completed operational tours in Iraq (twice), Afghanistan, Bosnia and Kosovo. A number of injured soldiers also sail British Soldier as part of their rehabilitation under initiatives such as Toe in the Water, Battleback and Out on a Limb.

This year British Soldier is racing in the Atlantic Ocean Racing Series, which started with the Caribbean 600 Race (1st in Class and 11th overall against many big-budget, professional yachts). After completing the Annapolis-Newport Race in June and the Newport to The Lizard Transatlantic Race, British Soldier will compete in the Rolex Fastnet Race and Biscay Race. Apart from the skipper and one other, there will be a different crew for each race in the Atlantic Ocean series.

Nick explains why the British Army involve itself with sailing: "Ocean racing is firmly part of our ethos – the requirement for an adventurous spirit combined with the need for individuals to work as a team, in difficult and potentially dangerous conditions, when cold, wet and tired, far from the easy option of outside assistance."

NORTH CORNWALL/ Trelights

KERONIMO, Ker 40, Jonathan Goring:

Keronimo is the first Ker 40, built by McConaghy Boats in China. She won her first RORC race, fresh out of the box; Class 1 of the Myth of Malham. She is a fast Grand Prix racing boat, capable of well in excess of 20 knots of boat speed in the right conditions.

Keronimo’s crew are a mixture of Jonathan Goring’s crew from Jeronimo; the Rolex ROLEX FASTNET RACE 2011 Commodores’ Cup and Fastnet Class 2 winning J109 and talented sailors from the world of international match racing and offshore sailing. The afterguard includes Jonathan Goring, Simon Shaw (Ex GBR Challenge and World Match Racing Tour Champion), Mike Henning, Simon Schofield from Ker Yacht design and Jason Ker.

FALMOUTH PARADOX, DAZCAT, Will Claxton and Matt Gill Cornish boatbuilders to compete in Rolex Fastnet Race 2001 in re-built boat

Paradox is a British Dazcat boat sponsored by Advanced Composite Technicians Ltd and the Dawson Microsurgery Clinic. The joint owners and skippers are Will Claxton and Matt Gill. Paradox was built in 1997 for paraplegic yachtsman Alan Grace. She was destroyed on the start line of the 2007 Rolex Fastnet. Race Will and Matt bought the boat as a bare hull and undertook the task of rebuilding her. In 2009 they competed in the RSYC Biscay challenge and the Rolex Fastnet as sea trials in preparation for the RWYC Round Britain and Ireland Race. They are now entering the same races to improve the boat further in preparation for a two-handed Atlantic crossing in 2012. Will and Matt are business partners who share a passion for yacht racing. They say that their main reason for taking part in the Rolex Fastnet Race 2011 is that they “love getting wet, cold, tired and spending a fortune doing it!” They hope that the race will improve their performance and understanding of the boat. “We are expecting similar light winds to 2009 and would like to place first among the multihulls. Although 20-25 knots from the south would be nice, especially if it went round to the west after rounding the rock.”

DEVON

PLYMOUTH Plethora of Plymouth yachts vie for victory in this year's Rolex Fastnet Race:

RUMPLETEAZER, Scanmar 33, Eric Bates: Among the record Fastnet fleet this edition will be a large number of Plymouth yachts including the well known local boat, Rumpleteazer, Scanmar 33, which has been racing round the 'cans' and offshore for 25 years. She will be skippered by experienced offshore sailor and veteran of two previous Fastnet races, Eric Bates.

Their main reason for taking part is so that long term crew members Vernon Pike and Andy Thomas can complete the race, having had to retire in 2007; Vernon is 68 and has been sailing inshore and offshore for over 60 years but would like another chance to finish in the Rolex Fastnet Race 2011. Crew: Vernon Pike, John Chamberlain, Andy Thomas, Richard Burkat, Heidi Collins and Skipper, Eric Bates.

APOLLO, J/133, Nigel Passmore: “Following the top result in 2009 in our TP 52, Apollo, I was persuaded by my eldest son Tom to do the Rolex Fastnet in comfort on our J133 cruiser, Apollo 3. With running hot water, heating, comfortable berths and furling sails, the race will be a far cry from the bare minimum blast on the TP 52? Sailing with a crew of just seven in the large Class 2 IRC section, it will be a good test for us. As before all of the crew are West Country based and I guess the biggest wish will be to see The Fastnet Rock in all its glory as last time it was shrouded in mist!”

HONITON

MORWENNA, Bristol Pilot Cutter, Stuart Jenkins, The Traditional Sailing Company:

Not many sailors setting off from Cowes on Sunday 14th August as part of a record fleet in the Rolex Fastnet Race will experience what it must have been like for the first ever competitors in the 1920s. But for the crew of Morwenna, a direct descendant of the Bristol Channel Pilot Cutters ROLEX FASTNET RACE 2011 and similar to the first ever Fastnet winner in 1925, Jolie Brise, the race is sure to be an adventure to remember.

Designed by Ed Burnett and built at the Underfall Yard in Bristol, gaff rigged with no winches and constructed of English oak, Morwenna measures 45 feet on deck (60 feet to the end of the bowsprit) and displaces 28 tons.

Over the 80 years since Jolie Brise set the standard for offshore racing, things have moved on somewhat - the 100-foot Leopard took line honours in 2009, arriving in Plymouth in 2 days 11 hours! Skipper Stuart Jenkins explains:

“The Record for a Pilot Cutter to complete the Rolex Fastnet Race is over 6 days, so we can expect to be one of the last, and proudest, boats across the line. However we have a realistic handicap, so hard work and endurance can pay off.” We want to show that traditionally built boats are strong, reliable and safe and to encourage people to learn traditional ways of sailing.”

Morwenna was a 5th century Cornish saint who made her home in the cliffs near Bude on the wild north Cornish coast. The derivation of her name is believed to be maiden or white seas, which seems to be an entirely appropriate name!

DORSET ! WEYMOUTH - DRAIG O’R MOR, Dehler 36db, Kay & Kevin Stibbs:

A double challenge for Dorset couple raising £10,000 for Sail 4 Cancer in Rolex Fastnet Race

For Kay & Kevin Stibbs, members of both Weymouth Sailing Club and Castle Cove Sailing Club, on Draig O’r Mor, a Dehler 36db, the Rolex Fastnet Race 2011 will be a very poignant and personal journey as they are recovering from the trauma of a year’s treatment after Kay was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after the 2009 Fastnet Race. They are now aiming to raise £10,000 for Sail 4 Cancer and all the money raised will go directly to the charity.

Their path to get to the Fastnet has not been smooth - the 54ft mast snapped at sea while they were competing in the gruelling Myth of Malham race, a qualifying race for the Fastnet - but the crew is now ready to take on this bluewater classic.

As Kay Stibbs reports: “We have really enjoyed the season and are very optimistic of a good result in the Rolex Fastnet as we have shown good form in the qualifiers. In the Guingand, we were 6th in class and in the Myth of Malham, we were in the home straight when we broke our mast, we had overtaken Persephone (same handicap) who finished 7th in class so would have expected to be the same. Our new mast is arriving at the end of next week and, provided the RORC measurer can fit us in, we will be endorsed & racing in the Channel Race on the 30th July. Despite having missed two vital races (Morgan Cup & St Malo), we are still 31st in the series out of 100 competitors in our class. The crew are literally chomping at the bit for us to get Draig O’r Mor repaired & back in the running again!”

To follow Draig O’r Mor’s progress or to make a donation to help them reach their fundraising target of £10,000, please visit draig4fastnet.co.uk

ROLEX FASTNET RACE 2011

BOURNEMOUTH

VOADOR, J105, NIKKI CURWEN & ALEX ADAMS

Voador skipper Nikki Curwen has entered the Rolex Fastnet three times before and can’t wait to do it again. Sailing with fellow former Cadet and Artemis Offshore Academy racer Alex Adams, Nikki would like to complete the Fastnet and give the two handed fleet a challenge, among them two other J105s. Nikki is taking part in the race to progress to the next level in her sailing ambitions, she says: “After competing in the Round Britain and Ireland Race fully crewed last year, my passion for offshore sailing has emerged and the Rolex Fastnet double handed was the next step for me.”

Used for cruising and local “round the cans racing”, Nikki is proud to be skipper of Voador. She says: “It’s a family boat and I’ve been sailing on the boat for about six years now.” !

BEAMINSTER/ HAMPSHIRE, SOUTHAMPTON

SCHERZO, Contention 33, Peter & John Eustace Father and son take on the Rolex Fastnet

Scherzo is a Contention 33 sailed by father-and-son team Peter and John Eustace. Completed from the basic hull and deck moulding in South Africa in 1983 by builder Des Crampton, Scherzo has since joined the Eustace family. The father-and-son team entered the 2007 Azores and Back Race (AZAB) in which they came 3rd in their class on the outward leg.

Father Peter has raced in the Rolex Fastnet before, in 1985 on the fully crewed Enchantress of Hamble, which retired into Dartmouth after a 90-degree knockdown, but as Peter says: “At least we still had our keel, which was more than Simon le Bon did.” Peter also raced in the 1987 Fastnet on the same boat and finished 7th out of 14 Sigma 33s. John sailed in the 2007 Fastnet on Pi Squared, Beneteau 47.7, which retired into Weymouth. Asked how they will work together in this year’s Rolex Fastnet Race, John says: “I make the decisions and dad pays the bills.”

Now based at Cove Sailing Club in Portland Harbour, Scherzo is regularly cruised by the sailing- loving Eustace family. There is a photography hanging in Scherzo’s saloon of John’s parents, in which John features as a bump in his mother’s belly!

Peter explains one of the reasons that the father-and-son team are taking part in this year’s race: “We are supporting fellow Castle Cove members Kay and Kevin Stibbs (Draig-O’r-Mor) in their efforts to raise funds for Sail 4 Cancer through their participation in the Fastnet Race. http://www.sail4cancer.org/DraigFastnet.” He says that beyond that it will be a quality bonding experience and that the main reason for taking part is “to compete the race two handed with the only co-skipper I could imagine doing it with”.

ROLEX FASTNET RACE 2011

EAST MIDLANDS, LEICESTER

ANTICIPATION, BENETEAU 40.7, CREW BEN KENNEDY (Skipper/Owner: Pete Newlands)

Our Space Cancer Unit

Anticipation is skippered by Peter Newlands and one of his crew members, Ben Kennedy, a consultant haematologist is taking part for a very worthwhile cause to create a new dedicated area for young cancer sufferers at the Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Ben says: “The state of the art integrated unit will totally transform the environment for cancer patients, turning an ordinary hospital ward into spaces that children and young people will find stimulating. The Our Space Cancer Unit Appeal is for the Leicester Royal Infirmary, part of the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. ! Ben is no stranger to racing for a good cause. He previously raced in the 2009 Rolex Fastnet Race on Puma Logic, in aided of the Teenage Cancer Trust.

To make a donation please visit: www.justgiving/cancerappeal or www.uhl-tr.nhs.uk/fundraising/ourspaceappeal, or telephone 0116 258 8709.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

CHELTENHAM - RAINBOW, Contessa 32, Lee Egan:

The Rolex Fastnet is not just about big yachts and big names. Reaching 300 entrants relies on participation of a considerable number of small, lesser known, yachts and crews for whom the taking part really is more important than the winning, even if deep down they harbour secret ambitions of the glory. With over one third of the fleet represented by boats of 40-feet or less, there are plenty of stories and rivalries to focus on.

One of the lowest rated, and therefore slowest, boats is the Contessa 32 Rainbow (GBR), skippered by Lee Egan. "There are four of us, all in our forties. I have been racing since my early twenties, working my way back from the bow. Chris Dunkerley has been sailing with me for the last three years and is inexperienced enough to enjoy frequenting the foredeck!" says Egan, who has done the race once before and is looking forward to skippering a boat for the first time. Whilst Slade (ICAP Leopard), David (Rambler 100) and Zennström (Ran) will contemplate a fast ride, Egan expects to be at sea for five to six days. "To be honest we just want to complete the race knowing that we have done everything we can to sail as fast as we can all of the time. If we have some long, windy beats then we should do pretty well but if it's a light airs race then we'll be happy to arrive in Plymouth before they have run out of Guinness."

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ROLEX FASTNET RACE 2011 ! HAMPSHIRE ! HAMBLE

MAYBIRD, Fred Shepherd 1937 gaffrigged ketch, Darryl Hughes: Graceful Maybird embodies spirit of the Rolex Fastnet Race

Still on her original planks and gaff rigged, Maybird, a 1937 Fred Shepherd design ketch was lovingly restored over 3 years in Southampton’s Saxon Wharf by skipper Darryl Hughes and is now ready to take her place on the startline of the Rolex Fastnet Race 2011 - one of only 4 wooden classic yachts taking part this year.

Four of her crew crewed on Morwenna, a replica Bristol Pilot Cutter, in the 2009 Rolex Fastnet Race but sadly had to retire 100 miles from the rock, which inspired this 2011 campaign on Maybird. She may not be the fastest boat in her class, but she will give spectators a glimpse of what some of the original competitors looked like in the 1920s.

GOSPORT

BRITISH ISLES - BRITISH SOLDIER, Archambault 40RC, Lt Col Nick Bate:

Lt Col Nick Bate, (Falmouth) will be skippering the Army Sailing Association's British Soldier, an Archambault 40. The boat recently competed in the Transatlantic Race 2011. She is sailed by a squad of around 100 serving soldiers on return from operational tours, offering them a chance to race offshore when on leave or between jobs. Nick himself has completed operational tours in Iraq (twice), Afghanistan, Bosnia and Kosovo. A number of injured soldiers also sail British Soldier as part of their rehabilitation under initiatives such as Toe in the Water, Battleback and Out on a Limb.

This year British Soldier is racing in the Atlantic Ocean Racing Series, which started with the Caribbean 600 Race (BS was 1st in Class and 11th overall against many big-budget, professional yachts). After completing the Annapolis-Newport Race in June and the Transatlantic Race from Newport to The Lizard, BS will compete in the Rolex Fastnet Race and Biscay Race. Apart from the skipper and one other, there will be a different crew for each race in the Atlantic Ocean Series.

Nick explains why the British Army involve itself with sailing: "Ocean racing is firmly part of our ethos – the requirement for an adventurous spirit combined with the need for individuals to work as a team, in difficult and potentially dangerous conditions, when cold, wet and tired, far from the easy option of outside assistance."

GOSPORT

HUGO BOSS, IMOCA 60, Alex Thomson

Alex Thomson is the youngest skipper ever to win a round the world race, claiming victory in the 1998/99 Clipper Round the World Race; a record he still holds today.

Speaking of his ambitions for the Rolex Fastnet Race he says: “It is an opportunity to race offshore in preparation for our Transatlantic races later this year and the 2012 Vendee Globe. We will race competitively within the IMOCA 60 class.”

Alex then launched onto the solo racing scene with a bang, breaking the world distance record in 2003. However his first two solo round the world attempts were met with frustration when structural failure of his yacht forced him to retire early from the Vendée Globe 2004 and Velux 5 ROLEX FASTNET RACE 2011 Oceans Race 2006. He went onto victory in the 2008 Barcelona World Race, securing a 2nd place podium finish, and setting a second monohull world distance record, sailing a distance of 501.3nm at an average speed of 20.9kts. Alex then set his sights firmly on becoming the first Briton to win the world’s toughest sailing challenge; the solo 26,000 mile non-stop Vendée Globe Ocean Race. However only 3 weeks before the Vendée Globe was due to commence in November 2008, Alex’s boat was dramatically struck by a French fishing vessel. His team fought against the clock to finish the repairs in record time to achieve the impossible – and get Alex to the start line. Alex’s dreams were shattered after only 3 days when he discovered HUGO BOSS was letting in water. On inspecting the damage it was concluded that the repairs could not be completed in time to get Alex back to the race. Devastated, Alex announced his retirement from the Vendée. He is determined to return and compete in 2012, and achieve his dream to become the first Briton to win the Vendée Globe.

Alex will be racing with Guillermo Altadill, born and raised in Barcelona. He has 23 years of sail racing experience, and has competed in nine round-the-world races, including the Barcelona World Race in 2007/08 aboard the IMOCA 60 Estrella Damm, five Volvo Ocean Races, a record- breaking circumnavigation in 2004 aboard the multihull Cheyenne, and a round-the-world race win aboard Club Med in The Race 2001. He also joined Team Germany in the 2007 America’s Cup. Guillermo has coached five Olympic teams, including the gold medal-winning Spanish tornado class at Atlanta 1996. A five language-speaking father of four, Guillermo says his goal is ‘to sail as much as possible and as fast as possible, and to win as much as possible, while all the time having as much fun as possible.’

The Boat: Alex Thomson and HUGO BOSS launched the new race boat at Canary Wharf in May 2010. The newly christened HUGO BOSS was designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian, and has undergone a full refit since it was purchased by Alex Thomson Racing. HUGO BOSS is the most powerful boat in the IMOCA 60 class. www.hugoboss-sailing.com PR Contacts: Emily Lister - [email protected] - Mb: 07825749346 Yvonne Fletcher - [email protected] - Mb: 07515294473

SOUTHAMPTON

Restoration and reward for Southampton sailor ELMARLEEN, Sigma 33c, Will Sayer and Matt Glasgow

Elmarleen is a David Thomas Sigma 33c (cruising version) that is owned and skippered by Will Sayer. Entered for the Two-Handed Trophy with long-time friend Matt Glasgow, the pair are ambitious and determined and they aim to win the Two-Handed class. Will bought Elmarleen in 2001 needing lots of work. He spent any spare time restoring her. He replaced the engine, did a complete interior refit, rigging and re-wiring new electronics. He says: “There isn’t much I haven’t done to her.”

Will’s hard work has paid off with big rewards. He started racing her double handed in 2006 and in 2009 he won the OSTAR (both overall IRC and Class). After the OSTAR Will took some time out to sail an Atlantic Circuit, sailing through the Windward and Leeward Caribbean Islands. He says: “Since buying Elmarleen I have sailed over 25,000 miles on her, including four Atlantic crossings – two of which were solo and the other two double handed. Not bad for a boat I bought for £7,000 when I was 21.”

Will has special permission to race from his wife – they are expecting their first baby three weeks before the race start!

ROLEX FASTNET RACE 2011 LEE-ON-SOLENT

KORU, FIRST 36.7, JANNINE STOODLEY

ALL-GIRL CREW DARE TO DREAM… A group of eight women will be racing on Koru, a First 36.7, skippered by Jannine Stoodley, Principal and Chief Instructor of Dream or Two. She will be joined by Emma Buckels, Clare Pengelly, Penny Priddy, Chloe Porteous, Sara Banks, Vanessa Hogbin and Linda Johnson. Only Clare has sailed in the race before.

“ We are a team of ordinary women, some of whom have sailed extensively and others who are still relatively new to sailing. We wanted to complete the Rolex Fastnet as an all-women (non professional) team and hopefully be an inspiration to all women – it is never too late to reach for your dream!”

Jannine’s sailing career began pre-Sunsail on a flotilla in the Greek Islands. She moved to Wales to become Principal and Senior Instructor of a community led watersports centre before returning to lead Dream or Two’s UK activities. Having spent so many years teaching and racing, Jannine really understands the importance of non-threatening and ego free sailing.

Koru is a Maori word meaning new beginnings. She is a sail training yacht and is used extensively in the Solent for teaching. Koru also participates each year in the JP Morgan Round the Island Race and has also raced in the Women’s Open Keelboat Championships. www.sailingwomen.co.uk and http://www.yachting-school.co.uk

PORTSMOUTH - TALL SHIPS YOUTH TRUST, Challenger Yachts

Crews come from all walks of life to take part in Rolex Fastnet Race on Tall Ships Youth Trust’s four Challenger Yachts

Although most have never taken part in a race before and have little or no sailing experience, after 5 months of training, the crews of the Tall Ships Youth Trust’s four 72ft Challenger yachts - amongst them a solicitor, a lawyer, company directors, a horticulturist and an electrician - are now ready to take on the challenge of the Rolex Fastnet Race.

Mike Perham, the world record breaker and youngest person to sail singlehanded around the world in 2009, will be joining Challenger 2 as one of the Tall Ships Youth Trust crews for the Rolex Fastnet Race 2011. Mike is currently planning his next adventure to become the first person to sail and fly solo around the world. Mike is a strong supporter of the Trust since his solo circumnavigation during which he raised thousands of pounds for the charity, helping to fund bursaries for disadvantaged and disabled young people to go sailing with the Trust and gain life- changing skills and experiences.

The crew all have very different reasons to take part: Hilary, a horticulturalist from Falmouth: “I love a challenge! I’m 60 years young at the end of 2011 and wanted a big challenge for this year!”

Julia, 28, a solicitor from London: “I live and work in Central London and find that it's easy to get stuck in your own comfort zone of a work-sleep routine, unless you actively try and pursue other things. Each moment on the boat will give me new experiences, teach me new things about myself and others. I hope to grow as a person - as a sailor, a woman and a solicitor. Each sailing adventure offers you so many new skills and impressions, and I find that they can be tremendously transferable to all sorts of situations in life.”

ROLEX FASTNET RACE 2011 Mike Perham, world record breaker: "When I was given the chance of sailing on a Challenge boat with Tall Ships Youth Trust in the Fastnet, I leapt at the opportunity. This will be a totally different experience to sailing the Open 50 that I sailed around the world. The crew on Challenger 2 are a great bunch and we are all determined to win."

HERTFORDSHIRE

ROSS ON WYE

NUNATAK, J120, Mike Jacques, Sponsor: FrontierMEDEX Mike Jacques from Ross on Wye last took part in a Fastnet Race in 1973. He will be racing Two- Handed with Colin Rawlings from Worthing, W Sussex and says: “ It (Rolex Fastnet) is a classic race in which to sail two-handed.” The boat has mainly been used for short-handed racing and has completed the Azores and Back Race (AZAB), Round Ireland, Solent to Santander and several Three Peaks Races. The boat is based in Plymouth.

! ISLE OF WIGHT COWES

MARINERO, SWAN 46, Ken Newman 27th Fastnet for Ken Newman, Cowes, Isle of Wight

Not many will have as much experience as local man, Ken Newman, who will be competing in his 27th Fastnet.

Since 1957 he has competed in every Fastnet, bar one, and in 2009 as an octogenarian was presented for the third time with the Denis Doyle Memorial Salver by the RORC Commodore Andrew McIrvine for the skipper who has taken part in the greatest number of Fastnets.

He is also very proud to have his name on another of the special awards - the Ken Newman Endurance Salver which is awarded to the yacht with the longest elapsed time, in commemoration of Ken’s first, and in his view, toughest Fastnet, in even rougher seas than the infamous 1979 Fastnet.

Over the years, he has sailed in 19 different boats, navigated in two Admiral Cup’s teams, Japan, Flirt of Paget (1983), USA, Blue Yankee, (1987) and crewed twice for Britain in Prospect of Whitby (1971) and Quailo III (1973). In a rather gentle 1975 Fastnet, he was part of the crew on Edward Heath’s Morning Cloud.

Ken is great inspiration to all landlubbers as he only began sailing at the age of 27. A specialist consultant in cement and concrete, as a young man he was mad keen on rugby, playing full back from Rosslyn Park.

“Looking back over the years and having competed in innumerable long distance ocean races, for me the Fastnet is the best event in the racing calendar. It’s like four or five races put together, each one requiring difficult tactical decisions to be made. The crucial components are a well- found boat, a competent crew, safety and sea-room. The ability to get along with others is key to a successful race. I mostly sleep at the navigation station and remember being woken up at change of watch by the laughter going on between the crew, great guffaws of laughter and I thought well this is what it’s all about, that’s the sort of camaraderie that I’ve been privileged to know. I’m a very, very lucky man…if you want to learn about someone, take them sailing.”

ROLEX FASTNET RACE 2011 SPIRIT OF ISIS & SPIRIT OF DIANA, FARR 65, Ondeck

Based in Cowes and Gosport, Ondeck have entered yachts in the Rolex Fastnet Race since 2005. This year two Farr 65s, Spirit of Isis (skippered by Mark Schultz) and Spirit of Diana (Tom Farnworth) will race with a crew of 12 and 13. Another Farr 65 has also been chartered by the British Limbless Ex Service Men’s Association (BLEMSA).

Ondeck offers individuals the opportunity to take part in races and events without the need to charter a whole yacht or have vast sailing experience. The individuals onboard each Farr 65 have joined together to build their own race teams under the guidance of Ondeck’s professional skippers and mates.

The aim is to open sailing to a wider audience and help ordinary people realise that they too can take part in world renowned sailing events such as the Rolex Fastnet Race. www.ondeck.co.uk

KENT

SEVENOAKS - SOLAN OF HAMBLE, A-35, Peter Olden:

Peter Olden on Solan of Hamble talks about racing Two-Handed in the Rolex Fastnet Race:

“I grew up in County Cork in Southern Ireland where the famous Fastnet rock stands and ever since I can remember it has been my ambition to do this race. Until this version I have not had the appropriate vessel to comply with the Offshore Special Regulations, hence it will be great just to complete the race. Over the past few years I have had the opportunity to sail the entire course in separate legs so it will be great to have the opportunity of putting it all together. Finally we will be working hard for a decent finishing place as the race has a factor of 1.5 in RORC’s season points championship and a good result here is essential to have any chance of success in the very competitive series.”

“The logistics, time and cost of getting a crew fully trained, qualified and equipped, particularly for the modern Rolex Fastnet Race are significant. I am certain this is a key driver. Technology has also played its part, for example; modern plotters, computers and AIS save a great deal of time and anxiety, also modern auto pilots (properly calibrated) will do amazing work. The challenge of racing double-handed is probably the main factor, particularly in a long distance race where many hours will involve sailing the boat single-handed. There is now a well established shorthanded circuit for double / solo races in the UK to nurture the increasing popularity and RORC, Royal Southampton, Royal Western, Royal Cornwall and the Solo Offshore Racing Club have all played a significant part in this.

LONDON

N4 area - DRUMBEAT, Contessa 32, Mark Himsworth + Pierre Walrafen

The crew of the Contessa-32 Drumbeat will likely have one opportunity to admire ICAP Leopard and Rambler 100 - during the passage out of the Solent. For co-skippers and brothers-in-law Mark Himsworth and Pierre Walrafen, the race ahead will be one of endurance and, at times, solitude: “It feels amazing to be one of the smallest and slowest boats competing, tacking or gybing down the Solent against much larger and faster machines after the start, all the while competing on handicap directly against them,” explains Himsworth, who will be taking part in the Rolex Fastnet for a third time.

The reality soon becomes quite different, as Himsworth reveals: “After 24 hours, most of the competition is long gone. Thereafter it’s occasionally difficult to keep your mind away from the thought of the faster boats turning towards (or arriving at) Plymouth while ours plugs steadily westwards round Land’s End. It’s a pretty solitary undertaking when you’re on watch and your co- ROLEX FASTNET RACE 2011 skipper’s sleeping and none of your competitors are visible, but that’s all part of the attraction, and there’s still plenty going on in Plymouth when we arrive!”

STAMINA III, Michel Péretié, A40 France flies the flag for London

Stamina III’s skipper Michel Péretié will lead an experienced and competitive all French crew during this year’s Rolex Fastnet Race. This London entrant comprises a crew of good and close friends and two brothers, they include Damien Moreau as 2nd skipper, Jean-Paul Gautier, Gilles Mestre, Clément Denis, Olivier Péretié and Jean Saucet.

The men are in it to win it and cite the main reason for taking part in the Rolex Fastnet Race 2011 to be the challenge to improve on previous results.

MIDDLESEX

TEDDINGTON - BRITISH BEAGLE, Sigma 36, Charles Emmett + Robin Edwards:

British Beagle on the scent of success in the Rolex Fastnet Race

Double handed sailors, Charles Emmett and Robin Edwards, will be doggedly pursuing a more than respectable result in the Rolex Fastnet Race in British Beagle, a Sigma 36.

British Beagle was acquired in late 2009 from Marco Nannini (now Class 40). Under Marco, the boat had many successes, culminating in winning its class in the 2009 OSTAR.

In 2010 British Beagle won class 3 in the SORC (Solo Offshore Racing Club) Solo Solent and Coastal Series sailed by Charles Emmett. She also won the top PY class in Falmouth week (crewed) helmed and skippered by Robin Edwards.

From owner Charles Emmett: “The Fastnet is a ‘Rite of Passage’ for all sailors. I have wanted to compete in the race for many years, but until now, did not have the boat for it. British Beagle is a fantastic boat for this kind of race and is set up for long distance solo and short-handed racing.”

“2-handed races are as much a test of mental stamina, as they are of sailing ability. The challenge is an exceptional one as it will test the all-round abilities of the crew – sailing ability, mental state, fitness and probably above all it will test even the strongest relationship over 4-5 days of tiredness and sleep deprivation….But if you can finish and do well, it is a fantastic feeling in the bar afterwards.”

SURREY

HASLEMERE + OXFORD CONCISE 2, Class 40, Tony Lawson (owner)/Ned Collier-Wakefield (skipper):

Team Concise was set up four years ago by owner Tony Lawson specifically to encourage and develop young British offshore sailors. The team of six, skippered by Ned Collier-Wakefield (23) from Oxford have recently completed a Transatlantic crossing from Newport, R.I. to Plymouth, UK for the Youth Trophy. The team now have plenty of experience in high performance sailing. After the Rolex Fastnet Race, the Class 40 World Championships and Transat Jacques Vabre are on the race schedule:

“We sail six-up when allowed, simply to give the largest number of young sailors a chance to do these big races,” said Lawson, explaining that the Class 40, built to a box rule and considered the world’s fastest growing offshore class, is designed for short-handed sailing, but several of the ROLEX FASTNET RACE 2011 events on the class’s calendar are fully crewed.

“So far Concise teams have won the Class 40 World Championships, broken the RORC’s Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race record for a 40-foot boat, and twice set a new Class 40 course record at the RORC Caribbean 600.” www.teamconcise.com Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Media enquiries – Jessica Padley, [email protected]

RICHMOND DIABLO-J, J/105, Nick Martin + Tim Hill:

Nick Martin has been sailing double-handed on Diablo-J since 2005 and this will be his 5th Fastnet, four of which have been two-handed.

Speaking about the size of the two-handed fleet in this year’s Rolex Fastnet Race, Nick commented: “It's fantastic that we have attracted 28 two-handed boats. In my personal opinion, this has become the most competitive of all fleets and I would encourage anyone considering two-handed to give it a try. The two-handed RORC division continues to support and provide the opportunity for many of us, typically corinthian sailors with full-time careers, to experience challenging and adventurous competitive racing with an extensive program in which we pitch ourselves against IRC boats of all divisions, both two-handed and fully crewed alike. It is the dream of many sailors to qualify & compete in the classic Rolex Fastnet Race, so to achieve this in arguably the most challenging division, two-handed, can be regarded as a pinnacle for many in one's sailing achievements.”

WEST SUSSEX

PULBOROUGH TRUSTMARQUE PLAYING AROUND, Beneteau 40.7, Peter Robson:

Crewed mostly by old University friends (& children!) from team racing in the 1980s, Trustmarque Playing Around will be aiming to be the first 40.7 overall. Her crew, which includes British Olympic Flying Dutchman sailor, Roger Yeoman, have several National Championship titles between them: RBI 2010, Fastnet 2007, 2009, Cowes Week class win 2010, National Champion 2006. ! WORCESTERSHIRE

MALVERN RED ARROW, J/109, FLIGHT LIEUTENANT RYAN HARRIS: The RAF’s Red Arrow takes leadership and team spirit to the water.

Red Arrow is a J/109 flying the flag of the Royal Air Force Sailing Association in this year’s Rolex Fastnet Race. Skipper, Flight Lieutenant Ryan Harris is a Royal Air Force helicopter pilot and search and rescue instructor based at RAF Valley, Anglesey, North Wales.

Red Arrow is crewed by serving and ex-serving members of the RAF, from a mixture of ranks, trades and different air bases. She has been with the RAF since 2005, competing in a mix of round-the-cans racing and offshore races and the two-handed Round Britain and Ireland Race, 2006. Ryan believes that “sailing, in all its forms, is an ideal way of testing and developing the RAF’s people”.

Red Arrow has entered the Fastnet Race on two previous occasions: in 2005, when she finished 23 out of 37 in IRC 2A and in 2007 when she was forced to retire due to weather. The crew has sailed a range of boats from dinghies up to 67’ Challenge yachts. Between them they have competed in some of the most challenging and prestigious races on the planet, such as the ROLEX FASTNET RACE 2011 America’s Cup, the Volvo Ocean Race, the Rolex Sydney-Hobart Race and Antigua Race Week. Flight Lieutenant Ryan Harris says: “Sailing is positively encouraged in the RAF. It is seen as a vehicle to take Service Personnel out of their normal environment and stretch them. Teamwork, communication, leadership and physical fitness are all elements that can be brought out in sailing.”

Red Arrow’s crew hopes to get a lot from the experience. Ryan says: “The RAF team wants to test itself against top sailors. This year we have gained experience to complete the mileage required to enter the Fastnet Race. Project management as well as sailing ability have all been improved from taking part in this campaign.”

WORCESTER JOHN B, GRAN SOLEIL 54, Charles Ivill

John B is a Grand Soleil 54 owned by Charles Ivill from Worcester. Charles took part in 2007 and in again in 2009 with Paul Heys who had competed the race in the ’79 disaster on board a boat called Pegasus, a Contention 33. This year, Charles will be racing with friends and a total crew of 12 crew will be on board and many of them have raced in the Fastnet before.

Young sailor, Sam Cooper (18 years old) from Leamington Spa will also be part of the crew. He has raced in six RORC races on the boat, including the Cervantes Trophy, Channel Race and Cherbourg Race and is an extremely keen sailor.

WILTSHIRE/LONDON/ISLE OF WIGHT

GOING CONCERN, Baltic 42, Oliver Stanley:

Kids are good company on Going Concern in Rolex Fastnet Race:

Under the watchful eye of skipper and owner, Oliver Stanley, a Fastnet veteran, 6 lucky young people will take part in this year’s Rolex Fastnet Race onboard Going Concern, a Baltic 42.

Two crew members are from the charity for inner city London children, Kids Company, and are incredibly excited both to have the opportunity to do something they have never done before and to raise awareness for charity.

Crew member Hayley Watson who works for Kids Company added: “This project means so much to all of us because of the opportunity it is creating for our young crew members from Kids Company. I have worked closely with these two youths for the past two years, and have watched them both overcome a great deal in their lives. Being a part of the Rolex Fastnet team is an invaluable experience for them, as it is pushing them to believe in themselves and to realize the vastness of their own potential. The courage and maturity it takes to put oneself in a completely new environment, become an integral part of a team of strangers, and learn a new skill from scratch, pushes them to overcome the doubts and fears they have in all areas of their personal lives. This experience is broadening their perspective of the world immensely, by giving them the opportunity to experience the success that is possible through their own perseverance, dedication, and responsibility. Memories of the ups and downs of the training and the race will remain with them forever, as a source of personal strength and self-esteem in any future obstacles they may face.”

The rest of the crew have been sailing together for four years and have all been through the RYS Youth Initiative Scheme which was started by Oliver Stanley 8 years ago, to get young people involved in yachting. “With the skipper and owner, Oliver Stanley, being the only crew member who has ever done the Fastnet before, this will be a big challenge. We hope to gain more experience and to learn more about sailing, as well as to complete the challenge of sailing one of the great offshore races”. ROLEX FASTNET RACE 2011 !