Training

Like many sailors I come from a dinghy and then keelboat racing background, so in order to develop more seamanlike skills I had to step outside my comfort zone and learn a whole new set of skills. I went to sea school thanks to Dart Harbour and started working towards my Yachtmaster as well as actively seeking any offshore experience I could get, such as doing deliveries and working as a deckhand in the Med for a summer.

I have also been working on my physical preparation for the trip thanks to Winners Gym Paignton and Dave Fuge my trainer. As I will be losing fitness throughout the trip it is essential that I am at peak fitness before I leave so that when I reach the three peaks towards the end of the voyage I have enough left in the tank to take them on! Being fit also helps mentally as I will be able to deal with sleep deprivation better and be able to maintain focus for longer which is another area we have been working on.

I will also be working with a variety of different companies to learn about boat repairs and maintenance, sail making, rigging, engine maintenance, electronics etc so that when something goes wrong while I am away, I will be able to fix it.

An example of the apprenticeship type work I have been able to gain thanks to the project, is that I got work at a local sail loft, where recently I have set about making my own set of sails for 'The Seahorse.'

I O W R

The Round the Island Race is one of the largest and most famous yachting races in the world. It takes place annually in Cowes on the Isle of Wight and attracts an annual entry of up to 1800 boats with competitors coming from all over the UK, to follow the 50 mile course round the Isle of Wight. I will be taking part on the 19th June, 2010.

The fleet crosses the start line at Cowes heading in a westerly direction towards Yarmouth. The boats pass round the Needles Lighthouse, along the south-west coast of the Island to St. Catherine's Point and then up across Sandown Bay to round the Bembridge Ledge Buoy. The fleet then makes its way round No Man's Land Fort and across Osborne Bay to the finish line back at Cowes

More information about the race can be found at www.roundtheisland.org.uk

Three Peaks

As part of the project I will also be climbing the Three Peaks . I will be stopping off at the ports listed below for each climb, as these are the ports used in The Three Peaks Yacht Race and come highly recommended.

Ben Nevis    -Fort William

Scafell Pike -  Whitehaven

Snowdon     -Caernarfon

I have already had requests from people wishing to participate in this part of the trip with me and I would be absolutely love for you to join me so do get in touch!

More information on the race can be found at this website. www.threepeaksyachtrace.co.uk