Article By Maj AN Lambert AAC

Despite the enormous pressures of work, the AAC offshore sailing team represented the Corps in this year’s Rolex Fastnet Race. Recognised as one of the top three World-Class sailing events, the race challenges both boats and crew in potentially very demanding conditions. Memories of the 1979 race that claimed a number of lives serve as a vivid reminder of the potential dangers and the need for proper training, preparation and adequate safety equipment.

As a result of some generous sponsorship from industry, the Corps team was able to charter a high quality yacht designed specifically for racing; a Sydney 40 (foot) named Pride. There were certainly no mod-cons on board as every attempt is made by the designers to minimise weight.

The crew of 13, skippered by WO2 Stuart McKean, was drawn from all quarters of the Corps and whilst all had sailed before, some were new to ocean racing and had been novices at the beginning of the year. Training had consisted of the Kiel Regatta, the Army Offshore Regatta and four-days of sailing on the Sydney 40. Crew duties were clearly defined and the team was working like a well-oiled machine by the time we slipped our moorings at Cowes for the start of the race on Sunday 10th August.

Despite the race’s reputation for rough and windy conditions, the fine weather that the UK enjoyed throughout August was to have a dramatic effect on this year’s race. Light winds and a strong sun were to provide distinct challenges to a delicately-skinned crew trying to race a wind powered vehicle. To us racing novices, the fact that we dropped anchor six-times seemed a remarkable racing tactic. Yet the absence of wind combined with a tide that would have put us into reverse, necessitated such a course of action. In deep water, we tied together as many ropes as we could find in order that the anchor would reach the seabed. We then sat back and watched with astonished amusement those who had insufficient rope drift backwards beyond the horizon.

Rounding the Fastnet Rock off the Southwest coast of Ireland was undoubtedly the highlight of the race. It is a magnificent sight that invokes images of a bygone era. One could not help but find oneself staring at it in awe, such is its reputation and scale. As we rounded the rock and headed back to Plymouth, we were immediately joined by a school of dolphin who swam alongside the boat seemingly to encourage us to go faster. Watching these masters of the water really was a magical moment.

Sadly it was not long before we became becalmed once more. The frustration of crewing a state of the art racing yacht designed for strong winds and ocean passages, whilst it bobs on the mirror-like water is hard to describe. Windless days but breezy nights were to be a feature throughout the race. Eventually the wind did pick up and we were soon approaching the Scilly Isles. The sight of the UK reminded us that we were approaching the end of the race and spurred us on towards Plymouth. The weather had not finished toying with our emotions, however, and once again we were becalmed with only twenty-miles to push. By this stage we were all of a mind to start blowing into the sails, but no matter how much we huffed and puffed we could not blow our boat forward.

Eventually, after six-days and five-nights of sailing, we drifted across the finish line at the Plymouth breakwater early on Friday morning. After a rush to the lavatorial facilities for those who had chosen not to risk their dignity on-board, most of us settled down to attack a much-needed full-English breakfast.

Whilst the conditions had not worked in our favour in terms of getting the best out of the boat, we were all filled with a great sense of achievement. The Fastnet Race is unique and special and much like marathon runners, we all felt like winners. For any aspiring sailors out there reading this article; speak to your unit sailing officer and get on the water. The next Fastnet Race will be in 2005. There will be plenty of sailing between now and then so book your place early to avoid disappointment.