More than just a race

The Fastnet attracts people from all walks of life including the following:-

In the last Rolex Fastnet Race, the inner city school children from the Greig City Academy in the London borough of Haringey won deserved praise for their campaign on board the old Admiral's Cupper Scaramouche. Such was the respect for this, that among their accolades the team won the RYA Award for Endeavour while helmsman Montel Fagan-Jordan was voted YJA Young Sailor of the Year.

This year the average age of the next generation of Greig City Academy students racing Scaramouche, is lower, the youngest being 13-year-old Kai Hockley.

"The new crew is a step ahead of the 2017 crew - they have taken a much bigger role on our yachts," says Greig City Academy's Jon Holt, who set up and runs their pioneering sailing program. "The key players are Azat Utulas and Seun Williams, both from disadvantaged backgrounds, but key leaders of our students." Among those joining them will be 14-year-old Christopher-Joel Fredrick and Jaydon Owusu who have had their school lives transformed for the better by sailing, says Holt.

A similar message of diversity is being pushed by the French Libertalia - Team Jolokia who are campaigning the Laurie Davidson-designed former djuice Dragons VO60 in what will be their third Rolex Fastnet Race. The aim of the campaign is to represent on board the full range of differences prevalent throughout society. 12 crew are chosen from a squad of 20, who, "in addition to their potential or their skills, can enrich the team experience: Whether beginner or certified skipper, disabled person, female senior citizen or foreign national, everyone has the chance to embark on this great human adventure," says Marion Pennaneac'h, the team's Communication and Project Manager.

Several boats are supporting charities. The most high profile is Sam Davies' Initiatives Coeur which uses IMOCA 60 races as the vehicle to raise awareness and money for Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque, a humanitarian organisation that helps children suffering from heart defects. Their '1 click, 1 heart' campaign involves the companies Initiatives, K.Line and Vinci Energies donating 1€ whenever the Initiatives Coeur Facebook page attracts an extra fan.

New to the race this year is the charity Ausome, that is providing nine autistic people the opportunity to compete on board Ausome-Lyra of London, a Swan 431 on loan from Miles Delap. The nine will include both experienced yacht sailors and relative novices.

You can Follow this years race from the comfort of your own home

https://www.rolexfastnetrace.com/follow

David Ogden  Crewmember Troubadour