Offshore yacht racing for beginners - with training from a world champion

THE CANARIES OCEAN CUP

Get into yacht racing - with help from world experts

Racing a yacht offshore is incredibly exhilarating but for those new to the sport it can be hard to get in to and more than a little intimidating. Now two of the world’s leading sailors and the meteorologist for the British Olympic sailing squad have teamed up with Rubicon 3 Adventure Sailing and Hamble School of Yachting to break down the barriers and give everyone a go

The Canaries Ocean Cup - overview

This autumn two amateur crews will race identical 60’ yachts for over 2000nm from the south coast of the UK, across the Bay of Biscay and down to the Canaries. Most of them will be experiencing the thrill of ocean racing for the first time.

Matching world class sailors with novices

Supporting them will be three of the world’s leading experts in their field: Steve White, a Vendee Globe racer, Hannah Stodel a 3x keelboat world champion and Simon Rowell, the meteorologist for the British Olympic sailing team. Hannah will train the crews on inshore race tactics, theory and practical sessions; Steven will train them on ocean race tactics while Simon will help them understand all the various meteorological factors that influence this type of sailing, and how to use them to one’s advantage.

“Yacht racing can be elitist and intimidating – we want to change that”

Rachael Sport, a Director of Rubicon 3 said “It is an incredible opportunity for 32 amateur sailors. They are going to have unrivalled access to and training from some of the best in their field. From being a sport that can be elitist and intimidating, these amateur sailors will have the world of offshore racing opened up to them and we are sure many of them will go on to do many more races thereafter”.

A mixture of coastal sprints and offshore races

The Canaries Ocean Cup is divided into two legs, with crew able to join either or both. Leg one races from the Solent, across the English Channel, along the coast of Brittany and across the infamous Bay of Biscay. Leg two heads out into the Atlantic Ocean, with a race to Madeira and then on to Gran Canaria.

“Being part of a yacht race has always seemed exciting, but I’ve never done it. Why? The thought of lots of people shouting at me, getting cold, wet and tired and not having a clue what is going on or why! A friend told me about the Canaries Ocean Cup and I leapt at it. This is my chance to do it!”

Anna Wenneker: signed up to leg 1

Everyone gets involved and no one shouts

Both Rachael Sprot and Chris Rushton, owners of Rubicon 3 Adventure Sailing and Hamble School of Yachting respectively, believe that far more people should be able to take part in a sport which is so exciting and so much fun. As Sprot said “All anyone needs to get into yacht racing is a friendly bit of tuition, a helping hand and some encouragement. Everyone should be getting involved in helming, navigating and trimming sails. We have no time for the shouting and pressure that is prevalent on so many boats in a competitive environment”. Rushton added “We’re so please to have Steve, Hannah and Simon on board. Being able to match three world experts with racing novices is a unique opportunity and something we’re very excited help organise. By the time they’ve raced to France and on to Spain and the Canaries, I have no doubt they’ll find they’re hooked!”

EVENT & CONTACT DETAILS

https://www.rubicon3.co.uk/offshore-racing-canaries-ocean-cup.html

Steve White

Completed the Vendee Globe in 2008 and is currently preparing for an attempt on the solo west-about-circumnavigation world record. Steve will provide training and advice on offshore sailing

Hannah Stodel

Hannah is a 3 x world keelboat champion and will provide advice and training on sail trim and start line tactics

Simon Rowell

Simon is the official meteorologist for the British Olympic sailing team and will provide advice and training on wind and weather.

CANARIES OCEAN CUP: SUMMARY

No previous sailing or racing experience is required

• Three coastal races in leg 1 and two offshore races in leg 2

• All crew are involved in all aspects from helming to navigation and sail trim

• Each leg lasts approximately two weeks, although crew can sign up for both legs

• Cost per place is £2,290 or crew can join both legs for £3990.

Leg 1 – Viva Espana!

• Solent to Coruna, NW Spain

• October 6-20 2018

• Race 1: Solent to Cherbourg.

• Race 2: Cherbourg to Brest

• Race 3: Brest to Coruna

Leg 2 – The Ocean Chase

• Coruna to Gran Canaria

• October 21 – November 04 2018

• Race 4: Coruna to Madeira

• Race 5: Madeira to Gran Canaria

Saturday 17th November

Event prize giving and celebration at St Katherine’s Dock, London

Rubicon 3

Founded in 2013 by Bruce Jacobs and Rachael Sprot to enable everyone to sail, train and explore and to make true adventure at sea available to everyone.

Contact Bruce Jacobs bruce.jacobs@rubicon3.co.uk +44 (0)20 3086 7245

Hamble School of Yachting

Hamble School of Yachting is in its 40th year. During this time it has gained a first class reputation for providing high quality training to yachtsmen at all ability levels. The school runs the full range of RYA cruising courses as well as a number of more specialised courses aimed at those looking to complete more adventurous sailing.

Contact Chris Rushton chris@hamble.co.uk +44 (0)23 8045 2668


Attached Media


About Rubicon 3

Ever dreamt of sailing to the icebergs of Spitsbergen or maybe across the Atlantic Ocean to Cuba - but felt it was way out of your league? Rubicon 3 was set up to open up adventure sailing to everyone. We focus on amazing sailing routes; providing top class instruction so that everyone is fully involved and learns; and having time in the schedule to go ashore and explore these incredible places. In our first five years we have taken 75 year olds to the arctic circle and 18 year olds across the Atlantic. Want to sail to Iceland, Belize, Norway, Cuba? If it sounds amazing, we go there. No previous sailing experience is required to join and we are particularly suited to those coming alone. There is nearly always a 50:50 male to female crew ratio and the crew get fully involved from the very start with top quality instruction.