Thanks to Suzanne and Alan for sharing this sailing report with OnTheWight readers. Ed
Alex Gardner, from Carisbrooke, a part time Development Squad sailor with East Cowes based Artemis Offshore Academy, is also studying for a BEng in Yacht & Power-craft Design at Southampton Solent University.
De Guingand Bowl yacht race
In preparation for the Rolex Fastnet Race in August he is competing this coming weekend in the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s 120 nautical mile De Guingand Bowl yacht race from Cowes on Friday 14th June to Guernsey.
Alex and fellow Academy squad member, Dyfrig Mon, will race ‘Artemis 43 ‘double-handed in a highly competitive fleet of 85 boats
Ambitious sailor
Alex’s sailing ambition has been to go as far as he can, as fast as he can and when he was selected for the UK’s only offshore school for solo and short-handed sailors, it was a massive step forwards to achieving this.
Alex, whose challenging campaign is running alongside his university studies, said,
“My goal this year as part of the Squad is to finish the Rolex Fastnet Race double-handed in a solid position.”
After spending most of the winter and this year training and dividing his time between studies, ‘Floppy’ as he is affectionately known, took part in his first offshore race to France in May. This was another of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s (RORC) qualifying races for the Rolex Fastnet and it saw the duo battle in gusty conditions with over 100 other yachts.
Another step closer to the legendary Rolex Fastnet Race
Alex said,
“We hope to do well in this coming weekend for the De Guingand Bowl and I am really looking forward to getting out there for the race – another step closer to the legendary Rolex Fastnet Race and the pinnacle of our Artemis Offshore Academy short-handed sailing year.”
Before August’s Rolex Fastnet Race, Alex and Dyfrig will build up the qualifying miles in order to compete in this legendary race, by competing in the Morgan Cup Race to Dieppe in France on the 28th June.
It has been ten years since the Royal Ocean Racing Club has raced to Guernsey and RORC Admiral, Andrew McIrvine, will be racing his First 40, La Réponse, in IRC Two.
“The club decided to race to Guernsey for several reasons,” explains Andrew. “Yachts racing with RORC have been getting faster in recent years and with a Friday afternoon start, the race insures a night passage and subject to the conditions, will allow everybody to get back to work on Monday.”
Image: © Artemis
