The classic event will attract in the region of 250 yachts in 2005. The course will take the large fleet South West down the Solent, past the Needles and out into the English Channel.

The headlands along the South Coast of England - Anvil Point, Portland Bill, Start Point, The Lizard, Lands End - must each be weathered on the way to open ocean and the leg North West to the Fastnet Rock with it's mythical lighthouse. The return leg to Plymouth, via Bishop Rock Lighthouse on the South side of the Scilly Isles, is just as demanding, as fatigue and competition take their toll. (map attached for those who are so lost and confused by all that).

I will be part of 11 strong hearing crew in IMX40 yacht called "Magnum II" skippered & owned by Andrew Pearce, competing under IRC1 class. I was part of the crew that competed in various RORC offshore races such as Cowes-Dieppe, Cowes-Guernsey, Cowes-Ouistreham and various other races, sometime winning under IRC1 class. So the morale of the crew is high and we have great faith in our tactician, Mike, to plot our way to the Rock and back.

We expect to complete the race under 96 hours (four days) depending on the weather. We will operate under 3 hours shifts throughout the race (3 hours working & 3 hours eating & sleeping). I will be responsible for operating the winches (and also to pack the spinnaker in the galley). As the only deaf person, I have to be alert at all times, making sure I will be in right position every time the boat tacks and so on.

We expect to complete the race under 96 hours (four days) depending on the weather. We will operate under 3 hours shifts throughout the race (3 hours working & 3 hours eating & sleeping). I will be responsible for operating the winches (and also to pack the spinnaker in the galley). As the only deaf person, I have to be alert at all times, making sure I will be in right position every time the boat tacks and so on.