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The Fastnet Race is a famous offshore yachting race sponsored by the leading watch company, Rolex. The race itself is organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club in the UK. The Fastnet Race takes place every two years and is known for being one of the most difficult contests that tests both offshore and inshore skills. The contest also looks closely at the preparation for the crew and the boat and even tests the speed potential of the boats. The race is very closely concurrent to advances in yachting designs, sailing techniques and safety equipment and continues to evolve. The duration of the race is usually about 5 days but this is highly dependant on the weather. The Fastnet is very competitive and runs over the course of 608 continuous miles. Starting of at the Isle of Wight, the race travels through The Solent, then to The Needles Channel, and from there follows the southern coastline of England and moves westward down the English Channel to end up at Land’s End. Competitors then cross the Celtic Sea taking part in racing round at the Fastnet Rock just off of the southwest coast of Ireland. The team then race around the Scilly Islands and finally finish up at Plymouth. Usually, the race takes place in August and is considered the world’s classic ocean race, alongside another popular race named The ARC transatlantic race. In order to enter the race you must be eligible. All people competing in the race must be in a team or crew; you are unable to turn up on your own! Secondly, 50% of your crew must have completed a bare minimum of 300 miles of offshore racing as a team. If there is a small team there must be at least 2 members that have travelled over 300 miles together before in the past year. At least one of the crew members must be trained in First Aid with a basic knowledge of safety etc. 30% or more of your group must have completed Training to Section 6 of the ISAF Offshore Special Regulations successfully, again no less than two members. For the person in charge this is compulsory. The yacht that you use must have entered in the Offshore Racing events beforehand. So if you are a sailor looking to meet new people or simply looking to advance your experience race the ARC and Fastnet and join hundreds of likeminded people! The ARC race is another widely recognised ocean race that is known worldwide. The event attracts over 200 boats with a whopping 1200 people turnaround each year. The participants enter to sail 2800 NM across the Atlantic starting at the Gran Canaria and finishing up in Saint Lucia. The ARC is slightly less competitive as it welcomes families with children and couples but don’t be fooled, tough racers and big budget opponents fight for their place on the finishing line too! Race the ARC and Fastnet and you can easily compare the difference. The ARC race focuses more on the adventures than you gain, travelling across the Atlantic together. The boat race is a prime place to create new friendships or spend quality time with your loved ones onboard. The training periods that take place beforehand are all part of the excitement.
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Race the ARC and Fastnet, STCW 95 courses,
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