Join the crew of a Volvo 70 race yacht Ocean Breeze to compete in a Rolex Fastnet Race campaign. Ocean Breeze is a peak-performing racing yacht.
Price: £5,350 per person
Qualifying Race Campaign -
Vigo to Gosport Qualifying Passage – 640NM
14 – 17/18 July 2023
Fastnet Race 2023
6 Days: 22 - 26/27 July 2023 (end date is estimated, depending on weather conditions)
Delivery Back to Cowes or Cherbourg (TBC)
If we do not sell the minimum number of berths required to secure the vessel, or if a charter claims the boat, you may need to be transferred to another Volvo 70 for the same race campaign.
The Rolex Fastnet Race is a world-renowned offshore yacht race that takes place every two years in the United Kingdom. It is organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) and attracts some of the best sailors and yachts from around the world. The race typically starts in Cowes on the Isle of Wight and in 2021, the finish line moved from Plymouth, UK to Cherbourg, France. The race is known for its challenging conditions, with sailors having to navigate around the Fastnet Rock off the coast of Ireland before heading back to England. Over the years, the race has seen many exciting finishes and has established itself as one of the premier offshore yacht races in the world. With 2023 being the 50th edition of this offshore epic, the race committee are expecting it to be one to remember.
Ocean Breeze is a former Volvo Ocean Race boat that came in 3rd in the 2008-2009 VOR.
At that time called “Telefonica Blue”, the boat sailed under the Spanish flag with Dutch Skipper Bouwe Bekking.
After reaching 3rd place in that turbulent Volvo Ocean Race the boat was sold to an Irish/Chinese Team. The boat has undergone a total refit in 2011.
“Sanya Lan” became 6th in the 2011-2012 VOR Race with Skipper Mike Sanderson.
Came in 3rd in the 2008-2009 Volvo Ocean Race.
6th in the 2011-2012 VOR Race with skipper Mike Sanderson.
In 2018, she came 2nd in the Volvo Ocean Race “Legend Race”
2009, winner of the VOR In-Port Race.
14 – 17/18 July 2023
All members of the Fastnet crew will come onboard for this passage as the official qualifying passage starts. It’s required that the crew has at least 300NM under their belt before the Fastnet race. From Vigo, you will head towards the UK crossing the epic Biscay Bay and into the English channel with overnight sailing and watch systems. During the passage, the professional crew will teach you all that you need to know about how to sail a VO70, including boat handling, manoeuvring, sail changes and crew management.
18 – 20 July 2023
After your epic blast across Biscay and into the Solent, we will stop over in Gosport, UK, for some additional training. This is when the professional crew will refine the skills learnt on passage from Vigo and turn you from an ocean sailor to an ocean racer! Please note that accommodation isn’t provided whilst ashore here and you would be wanting your own bed at this point.
21 July 2023
On this day, there won’t be any sailing. Instead, it’s time to prepare the boat for the race. We will pour over weather data to make sure we’re all ready for the big race ahead.
22 July 2023
Starting on 22 July 2023, the race will take us through The Needles Channel and will follow the southern coastline of England, westward down the English Channel, before rounding Land’s End. After crossing the Celtic Sea, the race rounds the Fastnet Rock off the southwest coast of Ireland.
Skirting around the Ushant TSS, it’s time to head to the port of Cherbourg for the finish, with around 695NM of some of the most exciting offshore yacht racing under the keel. The estimated race finish is 26 July 2023 however, this could vary due to weather conditions.
The Fastnet has got to be on every sailor’s bucket list as it challenges our inshore and offshore skills.
Join the crew on 06 July – Arrive in Vigo on 11 July 2023 (arrival date might vary due to weather conditions)
Join the awesome Volvo 70, Ocean Breeze from Genoa. We plan on blasting through the Med with other Volvo 65s & 70s for the Fastnet start. Passing Gibraltar to the next destination Vigo to join the rest of the Fastnet crew for the qualifying passage for the Fastnet. Whilst on the passage, get to grips with the boat by changing roles throughout, getting to know your crew members and benchmarking against other Volvo 70s & 65s. On arrival in Vigo, the boat will be gutted, cleaned and prepped ready for the next passage so onboard accommodation whilst in port won’t be available.
Travel plans for sailing can be affected by a number of factors that are out of our control, such as weather conditions, mechanical problems with the boat, and the availability of marinas and other resources. In some cases, these factors can cause delays or changes to the route, forcing sailors to alter their plans and adapt to the situation. Regardless of the specific circumstances, it’s important for sailors to remain flexible and prepared for the possibility of changes to their travel plans.
Vigo, Spain
Cowes, UK or Cherbourg, France - TBC
The Rolex Fastnet Race is a world-renowned offshore yacht race that takes place every two years in the United Kingdom. It is organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) and attracts some of the best sailors and yachts from around the world. The race typically starts in Cowes on the Isle of Wight and in 2021, the finish line moved from Plymouth, UK to Cherbourg, France. The race is known for its challenging conditions, with sailors having to navigate around the Fastnet Rock off the coast of Ireland before heading back to England. Over the years, the race has seen many exciting finishes and has established itself as one of the premier offshore yacht races in the world. With 2023 being the 50th edition of this offshore epic, the race committee are expecting it to be one to remember.
Ocean Breeze is a former Volvo Ocean Race boat that came in 3rd in the 2008-2009 VOR.
At that time called “Telefonica Blue”, the boat sailed under the Spanish flag with Dutch Skipper Bouwe Bekking.
After reaching 3rd place in that turbulent Volvo Ocean Race the boat was sold to an Irish/Chinese Team. The boat has undergone a total refit in 2011.
“Sanya Lan” became 6th in the 2011-2012 VOR Race with Skipper Mike Sanderson.
Came in 3rd in the 2008-2009 Volvo Ocean Race.
6th in the 2011-2012 VOR Race with skipper Mike Sanderson.
In 2018, she came 2nd in the Volvo Ocean Race “Legend Race”
2009, winner of the VOR In-Port Race.
14 – 17/18 July 2023
All members of the Fastnet crew will come onboard for this passage as the official qualifying passage starts. It’s required that the crew has at least 300NM under their belt before the Fastnet race. From Vigo, you will head towards the UK crossing the epic Biscay Bay and into the English channel with overnight sailing and watch systems. During the passage, the professional crew will teach you all that you need to know about how to sail a VO70, including boat handling, manoeuvring, sail changes and crew management.
18 – 20 July 2023
After your epic blast across Biscay and into the Solent, we will stop over in Gosport, UK, for some additional training. This is when the professional crew will refine the skills learnt on passage from Vigo and turn you from an ocean sailor to an ocean racer! Please note that accommodation isn’t provided whilst ashore here and you would be wanting your own bed at this point.
21 July 2023
On this day, there won’t be any sailing. Instead, it’s time to prepare the boat for the race. We will pour over weather data to make sure we’re all ready for the big race ahead.
22 July 2023
Starting on 22 July 2023, the race will take us through The Needles Channel and will follow the southern coastline of England, westward down the English Channel, before rounding Land’s End. After crossing the Celtic Sea, the race rounds the Fastnet Rock off the southwest coast of Ireland.
Skirting around the Ushant TSS, it’s time to head to the port of Cherbourg for the finish, with around 695NM of some of the most exciting offshore yacht racing under the keel. The estimated race finish is 26 July 2023 however, this could vary due to weather conditions.
The Fastnet has got to be on every sailor’s bucket list as it challenges our inshore and offshore skills.
Join the crew on 06 July – Arrive in Vigo on 11 July 2023 (arrival date might vary due to weather conditions)
Join the awesome Volvo 70, Ocean Breeze from Genoa. We plan on blasting through the Med with other Volvo 65s & 70s for the Fastnet start. Passing Gibraltar to the next destination Vigo to join the rest of the Fastnet crew for the qualifying passage for the Fastnet. Whilst on the passage, get to grips with the boat by changing roles throughout, getting to know your crew members and benchmarking against other Volvo 70s & 65s. On arrival in Vigo, the boat will be gutted, cleaned and prepped ready for the next passage so onboard accommodation whilst in port won’t be available.
Travel plans for sailing can be affected by a number of factors that are out of our control, such as weather conditions, mechanical problems with the boat, and the availability of marinas and other resources. In some cases, these factors can cause delays or changes to the route, forcing sailors to alter their plans and adapt to the situation. Regardless of the specific circumstances, it’s important for sailors to remain flexible and prepared for the possibility of changes to their travel plans.
