Get on board for an iconic Rolex Fastnet Race with Clipper Events in 2023

Clipper Events has opened up individual crew places to complete an exhilarating campaign in the 50th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race, on board a Clipper 68 racing yacht.

Founded in 1925, the iconic Rolex Fastnet Race is a biennial offshore event organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC). This bucket-list challenge serves up a complex mix of coastal, oceanic and tidal racing and the upcoming milestone edition will take place between 21 - 29 July 2023.

Lining up against household names in sailing, competitors set off on the 690 nautical mile course from the legendary sailing town of Cowes, Isle of Wight, heading to the Fastnet Rock, and finishing in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. This will be the second time that the race will finish in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, and race organisers RORC predict it will attract a fleet topping the 337 yacht entries of 2021.

Clipper Events offers crew an opportunity to compete in the Rolex Fastnet Race in a safe but dynamic racing environment. The package is designed to take the logistical and administrative hassle away from running a Rolex Fastnet campaign, allowing crew members to focus on their racing whilst making the bucket-list challenge accessible to a wider group of thrillseekers.

Jake Carter, Chief Instructor at Clipper Ventures said: “This is the 50th Fastnet Race, and it's a big tick box in the sailing world. You race past some great landmarks: the Scilly Isles, Fastnet Rock and finish in Cherbourg.

“There are so many different facets to the race and a lot of thought needs to be put into the navigation and of course keeping your boat speed up. It really is a cracking iconic race. I’ve completed the Fastnet four times myself and it is challenging. What’s good about the Clipper Events class is that whether you’re a seasoned sailor or relatively new to the sport, we’ll go through shoreside training courses and two qualifying races to get you prepared: the Myth of Malham which races down to Plymouth and back to the Solent, and a race to St Malo, France. You will be safe, as well as fast after this preparation.”

Image: Iconic Races with with Clipper Events

The Clipper Events Rolex Fastnet Campaign

The Clipper Events Rolex Fastnet Campaign provides access to record-breaking racing yachts and highly experienced racing staff. No corners are crossed, and the comprehensive package provides everything needed to compete, including the following high quality shore-based safety courses:

- RYA Sea Survival

- World Sailing (ISAF) Offshore Safety Course

- RYA First Aid

The package also includes two RORC qualifying offshore races, Myth of Malham (230nm from Cowes to the turning point at Eddystone Lighthouse) and Cowes-Dinard-St Malo (one of the oldest races in the RORC calendar at 151nm in length), which will add nearly 400 nautical miles of offshore racing to each crew member’s log books prior to taking part in the Rolex Fastnet Race.

Image: Iconic Races with with Clipper Events- the inaugural Knox-Johnston Cup

The Rolex Fastnet Race itself will see each of the Clipper Events teams line up against over 300 yachts for a test of both inshore and offshore skills, with potential for some great sailing speeds. In addition to competing against the wider entrants, crew sailing with Clipper Events will also be competing against up to five teams in the Clipper 68 class.

What’s included?

Clipper Events provides highly experienced race skippers, first and second mates who will lead your campaign and provide knowledge, leadership and guidance to each of their crew on board one of the fleet of purpose-built Clipper 68 racing yachts.

Fastnet Race entry fees and two qualifying races.

Training courses; ISAF Offshore Safety, RYA Sea Survival and RYA First Aid with Hamble School of Yachting

Food and soft drinks will be victualled for all on the water sailing throughout the campaign. All crew members will be involved with cooking, an important element of any offshore yacht race.

Each participant will receive a Musto technical jacket and polo shirt to keep, and have access to an offshore jacket and alopettes, eliminating the need to purchase specialist outerwear.

All on board safety equipment including Spinlock lifejacket

All participants engaged in activities organised by Clipper Events are insured with Personal Accident Cover.

The cost to take part in the campaign is £4,650 inc VAT per person inclusive of shorebased training, qualification races and the Rolex Fastnet Race.

Want to experience the thrill of the Fastnet in 2023? Bookings are now open for the Rolex Fastnet campaign, to find out more please contact the team on [email protected], +44 (0)2392 526 000 or visit https://clipperevents.com/races/rolex-fastnet-2023/