Eight teams participated in the FAST40+ Class Training Regatta held 21-22April, 2018. The Solent served up a variety of conditions to test crew and boats with a cold and foggy light easterly wind for the first day, and a bright and breezy southwesterly for the last day, piping up to 20 knots by the close of play. The training focused on starts and boat handling, and the initiative was well received by all of the FAST40+ owners and competitors.

“The regatta was designed to create a spirit within the fleet, before the start of the FAST40+ Race Circuit, giving the owners some recognition for their commitment to the series.” commented FAST40+ Class Race Director, Stuart Childerley. “Everyone needs to train, and it is far better to practice as a group because everyone gets more from it. The feedback we are getting is that there are big gains to be made through this kind of training. There is an added dimension through this learning process, where everyone is learning from each other.”

James Neville’s British HH42 INO XXX has been out racing and practicing for the last two weekends and it has been a valuable time on the water as James explains. “The changing conditions meant we got nearly all the sails out of the bag including our Code Zero. It has been a really enjoyable and rewarding weekend; great to get the team together and work through manoeuvres and the weekend has been very well supported by the class. We are now looking forward to racing next weekend.”

Tokoloshe helmed by South African Mike Bartholomew commented. “By organising a training regatta, to some extent you felt compelled to attend. From the point of view of Tokoloshe we got great rewards from the organised training, and also through our own work that we also did over the two days. The Training Regatta was a great success and we all got so much done in a short period of time.”

Round One of the FAST40+ Race Circuit will take place in the Solent 27-29 April, organised by the Royal Southern Yacht Club with multiple races in the Solent, including windward-leeward and racing around the cans.
For more news and views of the FAST40+ Class: www.fast40class.com

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