Merlin Rocket dinghy sailor. No formal sailing qualifications to speak of, currently undertaking RYA Day Skipper Course (ISAF offshore safety and sea survival courses recently completed).

Enthusiastic skier, golfer and rider of fast motorbikes. In my spare time I am a teacher of Physical Education and Justice of the Peace. Very excited to have this opportunity to take part in this Fastnet series and to be a member of such a team !!!!

I have been sailing as long as I remember, so basically for 29 years (or so…). I passed a Swiss Yacht Master certificate in 2003 (sailing and motor boat) and so far logged 3000 NM, ( 1100 as a skipper). I’ve sailed mainly in Brittany, across the Channel 5 times but also in Ireland, England,The Scilly Islands, the Med, BVI, Seychelles and since 3 years in Poole Harbour and the Solent.
Qualification in VHF, First Aid and Astro-navigation.

I am currently working for Sunseeker (yep those big noisy motor boats…) as a floater, finisher which includes joinery, carpentry and deck fitting work.
I have been away from Switzerland since 2004, traveling in Oz, New Zealand, Scotland, Canada and Alaska and absolutely loved it.
Other interests: geography, photography, travel, skiing and mountaineering.

Looking forward to being part of this race.

Coastal Skipper (Theory and Practical), 3000 miles mainly cruising on UK South Coast, including crewing on Grandee (Swan 51) in 2005 Fastnet with its qualifying RORC/JOG races. Last major achievement was circumnavigating Menorca with two wives. He has been sailing since the age of 12, racing Fireballs on the Open circuit for several years in the ’70s and ’80s so can tell the difference between a Futtock and a Buttock.

Sea Survival, First Aid, VHF certificates held. Qualified in Naval Architecture at Newcastle University in 1975, but now as a freelance, he is primarily involved in the development and implementation of enterprise database computer systems.

Other interests include Rugby, Skiing, the odd Sudoku, cooking a full English and a glass or two of red.

This will be my fifth RORC series. Addictive stuff offshore racing. Fabulous fun, sometimes a bit scary, hard work, and almost always exhausting due to lack of sleep. All the components needed for the best and most addictive sports. Also needed to complete the magic is good company, and we certainly have that on Space Race.
I have nearly 10,000 miles of yachting logged, two thirds of it in RORC races, as Watchleader or Bowman or Mate..
I am an RYA Coastal Skipper and have Yachtmaster Theory, First Aid, Radio, and Sea Survival courses under my belt.
Particularly looking forward to a race series with no “grownups” on board.

RYA Coastal Skipper with Current Short Range Radio, First Aid, ISAF and Sea Survival certificates and planning to take Yachtmaster in 2010.

This is my third season racing offshore after sailing Lasers and my second Fastnet campaign following the widespread frustrations of the 2007 race. Am also a Sigma 38 owner and my plan is to gradually become self-sufficient skippering my own boat racing and take my wife and two young sons cruising in the future.

Flexible and willing to try a hand at anything as long as I’m learning and building miles. I enjoy being outdoors and have surfed a lot in my past and more recently completed two successful skiing trips with the family.

Discovered sailing 5 years ago with the French sailing school “Les Glenans” in Brittany, completely “hooked” since then. In March 2005, my first offshore sailing with a Swiss skipper who was my instructor from Les Glénans, on his 28ft sailing boat, from Toulon to Athens and where I met Phil. RYA Day Skipper and Swiss Yacht Master qualifications, 8300 NM logged so far.

Born in Tokyo, now working in the University of Fribourg as a research assistant, specializing in the olfactory system of Drosophila (the fruit fly). Very good cook. I speak French, English and Japanese. Water Sports (liquid or frozen) addict – particularly windsurfing, kite surfing and snowboarding.

Life is short – let’s enjoy it at the fullest with smile!

Started sailing 10 years ago. Qualified to Coastal Skipper level, VHF, Diesel, First Aid and Sea Survival certificates. I am well qualified to sail a desk but have had little chance to practice on the open seas. Sailing has mainly been confined to holidays in warmer parts of the world. Attempted to do the “Round Britain and Ireland” race….the year Global Challenge went bust and the “Fastnet” last year ….but the boat I was to be on got holed, so I pulled out, I am hoping to have better luck this year and not get chucked overboard as a Jonah. Very happy to be invited to join this crew and expect to have a “whale” of a time one way or the other!
Did I mention the fact that my father was a master mariner in the Merchant Navy and was torpedoed and sunk twice! He survived to become a Trinity House Pilot with few mishaps later in life…other than being washed off the side of a ship in the Thames!
I’m a GP in Surrey and enjoy skiing and hockey in spite of creaking knees, spine and advancing years.

RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore (Commercial) and Cruising Instructor. My sailing career started, in earnest, in 2003 and almost ended the same year on a passage back across the English Channel on a yacht called Wahkuna. The bow wave is a wonderful thing. Much cruising including the UK, Mediterranean, Brittany, Norway and BVI. One of the many retirees from the 2007 Fastnet Race. I took consolation by competing in the 2008 Oyster BVI Regatta

A freelance "Internet Bloke" by profession. I like skiing with Nanae in a great little station in Switzerland (if I told you I’d have to kill you, or she’d kill me). I mix a mean Caipirinha – have been doing so for 25 years.

Commercial RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean, my sailing began at school on a National 12 dinghy The largest yacht I’ve sailed on so far was 67’. I’ve sailed all around the UK, in the Med and the Caribbean. I’m also a PADI qualified diver. My career in IT financing supports my sailing adventures.

This is my second Fastnet Race and I’m determined to finish it this time. In 2005 the atrocious weather caused us to abandon the race along with 85% of the entrants. The Fastnet is unfinished business.