Billed as the “World’s Biggest Offshore Race”, the Fastnet Race is an infamously grueling test of sailors’ seamanship and racing skills and the mettle of the yachts they race on. Considered to be a “bucket list event” by many avid racers, we’re excited to have Swiftsure’s own Brad Baker set to participate in this year’s Fastnet from Cowes, England, around Fastnet Rock and then finishing in Cherbourg, France. The race begins on Sunday, August 8.
Brad, one of the three founders of Swiftsure Yachts, originally met part of the group through a mutual friend and agreed to pursue a campaign to race in the 2020 Vic Maui… then, in March 2020, COVID-19 forced the Vic Maui Race Committee to cancel the 2020 running of the race.
Last winter, the same group approached Brad about a possible Fastnet adventure. Brad recruited two additional team members to add to the group and a local Beneteau First 40.7 owner joined them. The group has been practicing locally on Audacious throughout the spring and into the summer including a 600 mile offshore qualifying sail required for entry by the Fastnet Race Committee. There have been considerable logistical challenges associated with chartering, COVID-19, and Brexit, but the team has landed in the UK and is prepping the boat for Sunday’s start!
Here’s a great preview article in 48° North about Brad’s team.
You can follow their Beneteau First 40.7 Jazz, Sail Number GBR 4018, Class IRC 2 on the Fastnet Tracker.
More info on the race is available at RolexFastnetRace.com.
And here’s a Fastnet Race Preview:
One thought on “Swiftsure’s Brad Baker Set to Tackle Famed Fastnet Race”
Fair winds, hope for a win!