Announcing the Ultimate Sailing Adventure Holiday

Rubicon 3 and Hamble School of Yachting announced on June 8 the inaugural Canaries Cup 2018, an event designed to enable anyone with a sense of adventure to experience the thrill of racing a 60ft yacht from the south coast of England to the Canary Islands.

Comments Bruce Jacobs, co-founder of Rubicon 3: “Competitive cruising – in effect racing without the usual pressure and stress – is the perfect way to introduce non-racers to this incredibly exhilarating and exciting sport.

“Crew signing up to the Canaries Cup need never have raced before and could even be new to sailing.  Once on board, there is no expectation or pressure on them and physical requirements are no more than those for everyday sailing.  This event is about learning new skills but having a huge amount of fun whilst doing so.”

The crew will sail from one country to another on two identical 60ft yachts, vying for points and line honours at every port. The event is divided into two legs and people can pay to join one or both legs.

Starting on the UK’s south coast, the boats cross to France before heading for the warm winter sun of Spain, Madeira and finishing in the Canaries.

Usually, those trying yacht racing for the first time are faced with a fairly intimidating environment and may be nothing more than glorified crew.  Those joining the Canaries Cup will receive full training to ensure they can understand and participate fully from the start.  They also get the unique opportunity at the start of each leg, of a day’s sailing and training with a three-times world champion sailor and a Vendee Globe racer.   Steve White, ex-Vendee Globe racer – is one of the world’s leading solo sailors, having had a very successful campaign in the 2008 event. He is currently preparing for a world record attempt on the west-about or wrong way round circumnavigation.Hannah Strodel is a world champion sailor and one of the UK’s most renowned Paralympian sailors. She is a three-time world champion and four-time Paralympian. She is now aiming to become the world’s first disabled athlete to compete in the Vendee Globe. Simon Rowell has been the meteorologist for the British Sailing Team since 2015. He has won the Clipper Round the World Race and is regarded as one of the world’s leading sailing weather forecasters and yacht routers.

The sailing adventure costs from £2,199 for one leg, or £3,980 for both which includes a joining party at Hamble School of Yachting (leg 1) & Vigo Yacht Club (Leg 2), race tuition from three world experts, foul weather clothing, Fladen immersion suits, ocean-spec lifejackets (best on the market) and all on-board food and snacks.

For further information, or to book, call 020 3086 7245 or visit www.rubicon3.co.uk

Details of the voyage:

Leg 1: ‘Viva Espana’ October 5-20. Heading from the Solent on the south coast of the UK, across the English Channel, along the coast of Brittany and finally across the Bay of Biscay to the warmth and sun of north west Spain. Divided into 3-4 stages, with points to be won on each.

Leg 2: ‘Ocean Chase’ October 21-November 4. Two stages: First, the two boats will head out into the Atlantic Ocean for the 600 nautical mile sail to Madeira, followed by the short hop south to Gran Canaria. Pick up points and prizes for coming first on each stage, and have some great times in Spain, Madeira and the Canaries along the way.