Father and daughter to take on 'Everest' of sailing' — the 2025 Fastnet Race
Richard and Sophie Palmer, from Cowes, will be competing in the world famous race on his yacht, Jangada, which starts on Saturday (July 26).
The double-handed crew will be part of the IRC4 class in the world's largest offshore yacht race.
Having already completed the 2023 Fastnet Race together, Richard will once again be sailing double-handed with his daughter.
Sam White and Sam North, of Yarmouth, will be competing double-handed in the 2025 Fastnet Race. (Image: Sam White) For Richard, the Fastnet Race this year is all about "sharing the experience with my daughter," he said.
"This will be the 11th Fastnet for me, and Sophie's second."
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the legendary race, organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) and is part of the Admiral's Cup regatta, hosted by Cowes.
The non-stop race course is 1,287 km long, from Cowes to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, in France, via the iconic Fastnet Rock off Ireland.
Richard's past sailing highlights include being crowned the 2022 RORC season's champion, winner of the 2019 RORC Transatlantic, and the 2022 Shetland Round Britain and Ireland Race.
Richard said: "We will be hoping for light winds and calm seas. A clean start and exit from The Solent is key to settling in well.
"It always takes 24 hours to then settle into the rhythm."
The Fastnet Race started in 1925, with just seven entries, and a mission to encourage long-distance yacht racing and excellence in design, building and navigation.
Among the other competitors in this year's race are co-skipper Sam North, and Sam White, of Yarmouth, sailing his boat, Mzungu!.
Action from the 2023 Fastnet Race (Image: Carlo Borlenghi) North, a former professional sailor, will be taking part in his fourth Fastnet, while for White, it will be his seventh.
White is an airline pilot and property developer, following a career in the Royal Navy, while North owns a conference and trade show business, splitting his time between London and the New Forest.
Their friendship goes back to university, but the idea for their double-handed campaign was sparked during a stag party at Lake Garda in 2020.
More than 3,500 crew members will be competing in what has been described as the 'Everest' of sailing.
For most, the race is a personal challenge and a 'bucket list' event.
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