The Rolex Fastnet Race with a crew
In summary
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Sports
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Duration13 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationMorbihan / Lorient
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions173.55 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
Embark on a crewed 21-meter monohull to participate in the 2027 Rolex Fastnet Race , a legendary 700-nautical-mile race organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club . More than 400 yachts will line up at the Royal Yacht Squadron's starting line in Cowes , offering a spectacular exit from the Solent . This thrilling and tactical race hugs the English coast before reaching the Isles of Scilly . You will then cross the Irish Sea to round the impressive Fastnet Rock , crowned by its iconic lighthouse. The sail down to the Scilly Isles will be followed by a return up the English coast , before crossing the finish line in Cherbourg , the final destination of this 52nd edition . Prepare for an unforgettable experience in one of the world's most prestigious races!
The highlights
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Take part in a legendary offshore race starting from Lorient
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Join an amateur crew, supervised by professional sailors.
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100% active participation in the smooth running of the sailboat
Photos
Sport
Level
Sailing
The expert's opinion
A sailing course to learn how to sail in races , to gain experience by interacting with other crews.
As a 100% active crew member, you fully participate in the smooth running of the ship and life on board.
Sailing along the English coast with its strong currents, in the Celtic Sea known for its harshness
This program is subject to weather conditions and the motivation of the crew.
In figures
Sailing
- Average duration/day: 18h30
Management
French
English
On board, a crew of two qualified and certified professional sailors (Captain 200 Sailing and State Diploma) supervises the crew members.
They are there for supervision, safety, training and onboard entertainment.
It is a wise and serene choice to train with the expert and personalized advice of experienced professionals.
Program
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Training, transport and qualification Lorient - Cowes
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 24h per day
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Meet at 8:30 am at the port of Lorient La Base , an iconic center for offshore racing. Once on board, you'll meet the crew and explore the boat: deck layout, sail locker, living spaces, chart table, saloon, and galley. You'll familiarize yourself with this racing vessel, which offers a spartan and physically demanding level of comfort.
A safety briefing precedes the organization of life on board. After a quick lunch, weather permitting, you leave the port and hoist the sails in the Lorient roadstead. Destination: Cowes , on the Isle of Wight, for a delivery voyage of over 300 nautical miles .
This delivery trip introduces you to navigation positions, allows roles to be distributed according to experience and constitutes a qualification for the race, subject to RORC approval.
Days 1 to 3 -
Stopover in Cowes on the Isle of Wight
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 1h per day
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
After the delivery trip from Lorient, you'll stop over in Cowes for approximately two days , spending the night on a mooring buoy opposite the Royal Yacht Squadron . The boat will be tidied and prepared for the next leg of your journey, leaving time for shore excursions.
The crew members enjoy local entertainment, concerts, and social gatherings. Meals, usually taken ashore, offer the opportunity to experience the unique atmosphere of this legendary port.
Days 4 to 5 -
Competing in the Rolex Fastnet Race
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 24h per day
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
The long-awaited moment arrives: the start of the Fastnet Race . Aboard Albatros, competing in IRC1 , you take your place among more than 400 sailboats lined up in front of the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes . The fleet sets off for a spectacular exit from the Solent and the Needles .
The navigation, both tactical and technical , follows the English coast to the Isles of Scilly , which must be left to port. Then, it's off to the Irish Sea to round the majestic Fastnet Rock and its lighthouse. The southward journey continues past the Isles of Scilly, this time to starboard, before heading back up to the English Channel and arriving in Cherbourg , the final destination of this 51st edition .
Days 6 to 10 -
Stopover in Cherbourg and delivery to Lorient
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 24h per day
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Upon arrival in Cherbourg , the crew enjoys approximately 24 hours in the race village to celebrate their participation in the Rolex Fastnet Race . Depending on their arrival time, they have lunch or dinner ashore in a festive and convivial atmosphere.
The return to Lorient is done in delivery mode, offering a final sailing experience. Those who wish can choose to disembark in Cherbourg before departure.
Days 11 to 13
Note
The duration of the race will depend on the weather conditions, the quality and commitment of the crew.
Accommodation
Aboard a 21m monohull from the Challenge 67 series, designed for the BT Global Challenge , you embark on a sailboat built to face the prevailing winds. Rigged as a cutter , it is equipped with a Quantum Sails wardrobe including a staysail, several Yankees (1/2/3), a large genoa, an asymmetric spinnaker and a fully battened mainsail .
Access
The estimated time of arrival ( ETA ) may vary depending on navigation conditions.
Go to the starting point
- TGV departing from Paris Montparnasse
- 3 hours Paris / Lorient
- N165 Expressway
- Exit Lorient / Follow signs for Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly / Port of Lorient La Base
Price details
The price includes
- Boarding aboard a 21m Challenge 67 type monohull
- Supervision of 2 qualified professional sailors, Captain 200 Sailing Certificate and State Diploma
- Accommodation in a shared double or triple cabin
The price does not include
- The onboard kitty: provisions for the entire trip, consumables, fuel, port fees (€520 per person) - mandatory
- Personal expenses
- Drinks
- The sleeping bag
- Bath towels
- French Sailing Federation (FFVoile) license at €80 ( mandatory )
- Medical certificate (required)
- Transportation to the departure point of the stay
Options
- Bed in a shared cabin the night before departure : CHF32.02 / unit
- Bed in a shared cabin the day after the last day : CHF32.02 / unit
- Bedding kit : CHF56.72 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- PFI (life jacket) with 3-point tether
- AIS beacon
Equipment to bring
- Toilet wipe (for cat grooming)
- Zip-lock freezer bag
- A flashlight or headlamp
- Sleeping bag and bath towel
- Meat bag
- Sunglasses
- Lip balm
- sunscreen protection 50
- Waterproof disposable camera
- 12V phone charger (cigarette lighter/USB)
- Culinary specialties or games
Clothing to bring
- Quarter jacket and overalls set
- Tennis-style sneakers with white rubber soles or a pair of "Dock-side" shoes
- A pair of boots
- Shorts
- Short and long-sleeved T-shirts
- Thermal and waterproof clothing
- Warm socks
- Swimsuit
- Polar
- Gloves
- Cap
- Cap or bucket hat
The Valdo team
Based in Lorient, our local partner, École Française de Croisière, offers the opportunity to embark on exceptional 21m sailboats with crew for coastal, semi-offshore and offshore courses, as well as offshore races (Rolex Fastnet Race, Caribbean 600, Atlantic Rally for Cruisers…).
His professional team accompanies crew members to Brittany, the Isles of Scilly, Ireland, the Caribbean, or New York. He offers a variety of experiences, from training for novices to transatlantic crossings, as well as tailor-made corporate events (team building, seminars) on legendary monohulls.
