What followed was some exciting downwind sailing. With wind speeds of up to 45 knots from behind, simple manoeuvres became all 18 hands on deck and up to 45 minutes of planning and execution just to safely gybe the 45-ton bucking bronco.

The 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race will be the 50th edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s premier event and excitingly, there’s a significant number of classic yachts are entered such as these young trainee sailors competing on board the 1963 aluminium classic Germania VI.