| 13th August 2013 |
| The Fastnet Race is the most famous and most challenging of the Royal Ocean Racing Club Races and since the first Fastnet race in 1925, it has provided sailors with the ultimate challenge of crossing the Irish Sea to the Fastnet Rock and back. The 610 mile Fastnet Race is a biennial event which attracts 250 of the world’s best racing yachts. In 2013 the race starts on Sunday 13th August and depending on the weather conditions takes 4 – 5 days to complete. The Fastnet race takes the fleet westwards out of the Solent and along the south coast to Lands End. |
| From there, the fleet heads into the Irish Sea and to the southern coast of Ireland and around the Fastnet Rock. After rounding the rock it is a sprint back across the Irish Sea leaving the Scilly Isles to port then the finally to the finish line in Plymouth. |
| Northern Child has competed in the Fastnet since 2003. She is superbly equipped for racing with a full inventory of North Race Sails and is maintained to the very highest standard. |
| To qualify for the Fastnet, the skipper and half the crew need to have completed 300 miles of RORC offshore racing in the 13 months preceding the race. One third of the crew will also need to attend an ISAF sea survival course. This year Northern Childs Fastnet campaign includes 2 RORC qualifing races and the Fastnet race itself. Alternatively Northern Child is also competing in the RORC Caribbean 600 in February which is also a qualify race for the Fastnet. |
| With individuals on board, our objective is to give a safe and enjoyable experience to all crew members. The two professional crew will train the crew to ensure that the racing is safe, fun and enable each crew member to make a valuable contribution to the team effort. Although prior race or sailing experience is preferred, it is not essential. The qualifying races provide a great opportunity for each crew member to get familiar with the yacht and the racing manoeuvres. |
