As has been historically the desire of LLYC, Lutine will again be taking on the RORC challenge of the Fastnet Race.

Alas, the Fastnet Race is not simply the race itself around the rock from Cowes and finishing in Plymouth alone. In order to participate, governing rules are laid down on crew requirements both in the form of sea time and courses undertaken. This has therefore resulted in the crew participating in First Aid, Sea Survival and the new ISAF racing qualification. I am pleased to say that all the crew that attended these courses passed and the boat easily exceeds the minimum requirements for participation.

As far as sea time, the campaign officially kicks off with the Myth of Malham race this weekend to St Quay-Portreaux in central Brittany. The weather we hope will be favourable to get the campaign off to a good start.

For the first time ever, the Fastnet campaign undertaken on Lutine has attracted corporate sponsorship. We are pleased to announce 3 sponsors have been secured. The headline one being Kiln. JLT and another firm who will be confirmed shortly, have also committed to sponsor the campaign.

LLYC and the crew are all grateful for the help from all Sponsors.

In order to continue with the "professional" theme being adopted by the crew, a sailing outfit comprising of shorts, shirt and shortsleeve jacket are being organised. This will show the name of the boat, crew members names, web address of the club and the sponsors names in various location on the kit. We hope to be able to make these items available to members if demand  is sufficient. LLYC would like to thank SLAM for all their help and asistance with the supply of the kit.

Demand to take part in the Fastnet campaign this year was very high and it is with sadness that we cannot fit all interested parties on the boat. It does however give me pleasure to announce the crew will be:

Michael Hook (Hookie) - Skipper, Kevin Milligan - Club Professional Skipper, Liz Lotz, Geoff Cowling,  Galen Brislane, Ed Hillier, Sue Ephgrave, Izzy Peterkin, Cecily Ashford, Graham Sparks, Andrew Springham  and Graham Hind.

We hope that Lloyd's List and Insurance Post will both be covering the Fastnet campaign and following the introduction of tracking, anyone will be able to monitor our performance "live" via the RORC website.

Many thanks to all those who have wished us well already and we look forward to sharing our tales, if possible, on a daily basis via the LLYC website.

Michael Hook

Rear Commodore Sailing

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