The Fastnet 2015 with Lagoon Watersports

At 608 miles the Rolex Fastnet is one of the worlds Classic Ocean Races attracting up to 300 entries from across the world. The Fastnet starts in Cowes and heads for the Fastnet Rock off Southern Ireland then returns to the finish in Plymouth. The race stretches both crews and boats to their limit and is a unique exciting sailing challenge. Lagoon Watersports are looking for crew to compete in The Fastnet 2015. Lagoon Watersports have two fantastic skippers lined up: Anna Stang, who has been working for Lagoon Watersports for four years and is an extremely competent sailor and instructor and has been teaching RYA Competent Crew and Dayskipper and also been heavily involved in our dinghy racing program. The other skipper is Steve Hacking, who has raced The Antigua Race Week, Round Britain & Ireland and every Round The Island Race since 2007. The Fastnet Race remains his firm favourite. Steve has now skippered three Fastnet Races, his first being with Lagoon Watersports in 2009. “What makes the Fastnet unique is the number of boats in a fleet and the fact that amateur and professional sailors races against each other. The race itself is different each time; there is a constant variations in the weather, scenery as you sail along the coast of England and out across the Irish Sea. On top of that you meet amazing people and friendships are forged along the way – for me is the icing on the cake! I think that any sailor who aspires to race offshore should aim to do The Fastnet at least once. It’s track that leads you across some of the most challenging waters in the world and gives you a great introduction to offshore racing.” (Skipper Steve, October 2014) The Fastnet Race on 16th August 2015 Involves:

• 3 Training weekends including sea survival & offshore safety course
• 4 Rorc offshore qualifying races
• The Fastnet race (usually 4 days)
• 12 additional delivery days available

Lagoon Watersports Includes:

• Two experienced Lagoon Watersports racing skippers
• Continuous professional coaching thought the campaign
• Lagoon Racing Jacket with Rolex Fastnet Logo
• Lagoon Racing shirt with Rolex Fastnet Logo
• All Race entry fees / mooring fees / fuel & gas
• All Food onboard yacht
• Fantastic apres sail and a great social event

THE TRAINING PROGRAM TRAINING WEEKEND No. 1 – April 7/8th 2015: Sea Survival & ISAF Offshore Safety Course TRAINING WEEKEND No. 2 – April 2015: Friday night meeting at Lagoon centre in Brighton, this is a chance to meet all the team and chat over the program. 9.30am start on Saturday morning. The training includes: Boat familiarisation – Boat safety equipment and man overboard procedures – 
Roles and crew organisation – 
Sail handling – 
Sail trim theory – 
Up wind boat handling – 
Downwind boat handling 
- Crew dynamics tacking & gybing – 
Spinnaker hoists & drop TRAINING WEEKEND No. 3 – May 2015: Training includes: Spinnaker gybing trimming & peeling – 
Mainsheet trim
 – Genoa Trim – 
1:1 role coaching – 
Sailing in the dark – 
Sail changes in the dark – 
MOB in the dark
 – Racing navigation THE RACES RACE ONE: – 22-25 MAY 2015  MYTH OF MALHAM: Meet on Thursday night on the boat in Gosport for a start on Friday morning at 08:00 Returns on the bank holiday Monday Race start early on Friday and follows the Fastnet course out of the Solent, along the coast to Eddystone Rock off Plymouth. This Race provides the bulk of the qualifying miles needed for the Fastnet and provides a great training platform as it covers the first part of the Fastnet course, tidal gates and headlands. This long leg also allow the team to settle in to the watch program and some focused boat speed and sail trimming coaching. 
Days: 2-4 depending on the wind. Approximately 260 miles RACE TWO – 6-7th JUNE 2015 – DE GUINGAND BOWL RACE
: This race goes from Cowes to Guernsey. Meeting on the boat on Friday afternoon for an evening start. This is a 24 hour race, 120 nautical miles across to Guernsey – you will need a passport. Returning early Sunday morning to arrive back on Sunday evening.
 Approximately 120 miles RACE THREE – 10-13th JULY 2015 – St MALO RACE: Waiting for more information RACE FOUR – 25-26th JULY & 1-2nd AUGUST 2015 – CHANNEL RACE: Waiting for more information  RACE FIVE – SUN 16TH AUGUST 2015 – THE ROLEX FASTNET RACE: Friday night meet on the boat in Cowes, 11am start from Cowes on the Royal Yacht Squadron line. Following the same course out as the Myth of Malham – out past Eddyson Lighthouse then on to Lands End and then across to the Fastnet Rock off Southern Ireland, returning past the Scilly Isles to finish in Plymouth.The Skippers will attend a pre-race briefing on Friday and feed all information back to the Crew. 
Prize giving is on the Friday five days after the start. The boat will then cruise back, you are welcome to remain on the boat or head back on the train. This race will last up to 5 days dependent on the weather and will entail a minimum of 608 miles. We will be competing in Roger Justice Trophy for the sailing school’s yachts PAYMENT Total cost of package: £3,499 Payment plan: £999 deposit with 5 x £500  Book on line CONTACT 01273 424842 opt.1 brighton@lagoonwatersports.co.uk MORE INFORMATION ON THE FASTNET Fastnet homepage: fastnet.rorc.org