Fastnet 2011 plus Racing 2010

Fastnet Team 2011 register your interest now by emailing inf@wildspirit.biz

I am still waiting for the RORC to supply the provisional race schedule but we will probably have 2 training weekends, a JOG race at Easter and then 4 or 5 qualifying races folowed by the Fastnet and a couple more races plus re-union weekend. There will also be an opportunity for those who are competent to have WS for a weekend or mid week*. Cost will be £2995 inclusive for those booking by 1st December.  4 places left at 28/7/10.

We came 2nd in class and 3rd overall in our first race of the season to Cherbourg. For the rest of 2010 we will be competing in both Royal Ocean Racing Club and JOG races. These will include the St Malo, round Eddystone and, our longest race, to La Trinite on the South Brittany coast. This is the 4th year we have run the Wild Spirit racing team on a seasons basis and in 2009 we finished in the top 10% overall of the Royal Ocean Racing Club. Racing experience is not necessary but we do look for real commitment to the team. You can either do a single race or get as much sailing as most people can handle in a season. You will also learn a lot and have a great time. This year we have gone for La Trinite as the ‘big one’ instead of the Round Britain and Ireland race for 3 main reasons. 1) It means less time off work—for the RB&I 3 weeks needs to be allowed which with the odd days for other races uses too much of most peoples annual leave. 2) If we have the same weather in 2010 as this year for the period of the race then many yachts would not have finished. I did it in 2006 and know how tough it can be. So instead of racing round we have a cruise round –more details on separate page. We will happily do a package of 2 or more races for example all the races from 10 onwards would be £1250 and you would also get a free place on a couple of training weekends. The RTI is not part of package For 2010 we will be competing in both Royal Ocean Racing Club and JOG races. These will include the St Malo, round Eddystone and, our longest race, to La Trinite on the South Brittany coast. .

Risks Based on current RORC and JOG information. • Crew changes. If members of crew leave due to new jobs etc it is possible we would struggle to complete the programme. We can bring in new members and for the Fastnet did so very successfully at the last moment. • Yacht problems—it could happen that there is a major problem with a Yacht and I can’t get a suitable replacement in time. We attempt to reduce these risks but it is only fair we point them out. One advantage we do have is that unlike some companies we are not tight for time due to other charter commitments, this means we can go for ‘temporary discontinuance’ to hide from storms and then start racing again—in the 2007 Fastnet of the 20% of entrants who completed the race a number used this. We also used it, but when the predicted length of the gales grew, then we just sailed instead of continuing the race. Change of Yacht/ Skipper – In the event of something happening to me, we would seek to engage a temporary skipper or make other arrangements which could include a whole or partial refund. We do stage payments—but once committed to the team we do expect continuation. This includes financial continuation as well although we would do our best to find a replacement. The company (Paul Jackson Consulting and Sailing Ltd) will take all reasonable steps to mitigate risks but will not be held responsible for those remaining. It must also be understood that yacht racing has some inherent dangers and personal insurance is recommended. Wherever possible when a problem arises alternatives will be offered e.g. if for some reason we do not race or drop out due to Gales etc then the crew will be consulted and we will make the best of the time available on board. What’s included ? Safety Gear, all on board food (good standard), all entry fees, fuel, and marina fees etc. What’s not? Meals and drinks ashore and supplementary courses if needed (e.g. ISAf, 1st aid) although I will try and arrange them at cost if required. (We have arranged on board ISAF courses in the past so you can practice with the gear you would actually use and we recover a real (large) person from the water—much better than watching a Video.) Sign Up plus Options A decision on the Round the Island Race is needed on sign up—this is because it is the one event I always have to turn people away from. Instalments Payments by instalments is possible if you purchase several races. Other possibilities There are several other races we could do. These would be comparatively cheaper as we move to marginal costing. The new fully battened Main plus new track for mast and new Genoa using Vektron and custom built for Wild Spirit by Sanders Sails in 2009 have performed well. Wild Spirit is a Jeanneau 40 Sun Odyssey. She is stable (RORC Cat 2—enough for races such as Fastnet, Cowes to Gibraltar or Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) and reasonably fast. We race, but it would be wrong to describe us as an all out racing team–more a unique blend of experience and immaturity. We eat well and enjoy life; we try and come in the top half–in 2009 we finished 42 out 443 in the RORC. I am the Skipper and owner but everyone gets to helm and we share tasks. We are a masthead sloop with furling Genoa and therefore don’t sail quite as close to the wind as a fractional rig, but on a beam reach we get our own back. We also go well in light airs especially with the ‘Flying Pig’ our asymmetric spinnaker. Our choice of races reflects our strengths; we go for those where the course is simple, and not those set round marks cunningly placed to require beating against wind and tide. As well as our Sanders sails made specifically for us, we have 4 spinnakers, heavy weather plus storm jibs and try sail. ‘A happier crew would be hard to find’ ..’Paul setting us up nicely for a blast down the alderney race with the tide’. ‘Paul still smiling after a long exhausting weekend’. – Sailing Today Nov 2005 Feel free to call me on 01823 433813 to answer questions or give some honest advice. If we are not the right team for you I may know the one which is. Small print—There isn’t any—it is all in the above—if you can’t trust the people you go yacht racing with you are on the wrong boat. Paul Jackson Consulting and Sailing Ltd is my Company (Co No 5044340), as well as Sailing it provides Assessment / Consultancy services to the NHS, Local Government and other Organisations. It has no borrowings, is in good financial state and has always made the statutory returns. You can access some of these via Companies House website if you wish. Our VAT No. is 826 9640 96

* For using WS if I am not on board you wil need to pay a returnable insurance excess and it is possible some VAT may have to be added.