Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard FD July August September 2023

Hafren Round Britain - Sailors near home as they Round South Foreland

by Rob Hudson on 1 Jul 2014
Hafren Round Britain Challenge 2014 - Cape Wrath RNLI
'When Jeremy Warren and Phil Kirk set off from Weymouth on 31st May, 2014, no one expected that they would be approaching the home straight a month later. The Round Britain sail was planned to take eight weeks, and beat the existing fastest time of 76 days by a couple of weeks or so.

However, their 16ft Wayfarer dinghy was specially kitted out to enable them to stay at sea overnight, and this made a fast time achievable. Their first leg from Weymouth round Portland Bill, Start Point, the Lizard, Land's End and finishing in Dale took 67 hours to cover the 250 miles nonstop.

They have a small Primus stove, provisions for up to five days, and rubber camping mats on the cockpit floor to sleep on. They adapted the boat by removing the central thwart and replacing it with a carbon fibre tube. This gives them more space to sleep underneath, and keeps the boat stiff. Phil's experience as a Cherub builder and sailor helped with this.


They sailed up the Irish Sea via Fishguard, Holyhead and the Isle of Man, before going through the Scottish islands, and then round Cape Wrath and Duncansby Head. Their trip down the east coast from Scrabster to Felixstowe Ferry has taken just over a week.

They left there at 0400 on Sunday morning to cross the Thames Estuary in daylight, and round the South Foreland before sailing for the finish at Castle Cove Sailing Club.

If the weather stays fair they hope to reach Weymouth by the 4th July. They have funded the voyage themselves, but have been raising money for the RNLI and the Pappa Fund, which provides support to a small southern Indian community sponsored by Jeremy's home village of Marshfield in Wiltshire. Donations would be gratefully received via their website.'

Cyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERBarton Marine Pipe GlandsC-Tech 2021 SnuffAir 728x90 BOTTOM

Related Articles

The Ocean Cleanup's 30 Cities Program
A look at The Ocean Cleanup and its the 30 Cities Program The cliche goes that one should avoid meeting one's heroes, as there's always a chance that the flesh-and-blood person might not live up to expectations. While I've never met Boyan Slat, I'd gladly take this risk.
Posted today at 9:00 pm
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 3
Mother Nature teases the competitors Mother Nature teased the competitors today and made them wait a bit, but she did not disappoint; the sun came out and a big westerly built to 18-20 knots!
Posted today at 5:22 pm
The Iconic Admiral's Cup Returns!
Harken UK caught up with the RORC CEO and Admiral's Cup sailors ahead of the event After a long hiatus, this prestigious international yachting regatta makes its grand comeback from 17- 31 July at The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) in Cowes, Isle of Wight.
Posted today at 3:30 pm
Excellent Olympic Season Openers for GP Watercraft
Bermudan ILCA sailors enjoy a strong start to the season! The first two Olympic events of 2025 proved a very positive start to the season for GP Watercraft and their Bermudan ILCA sailors: Sebastian Kempe (ILCA 7) and Adriana Penruddocke (ILCA 6) who are both coached by Shaun Priestley of GP Watercraft.
Posted today at 11:00 am
A century of human endeavour
The Fastnet Race is regarded as one of offshore sailing's most complete proving grounds For 100 years, the Rolex Fastnet Race has been regarded as one of offshore sailing's most complete proving grounds. It is a place where ambitions and dreams meet harsh reality, where skill, endurance and fortitude are severely tested.
Posted today at 10:14 am
Martine Grael in Racing on the Edge
First female driver to win a Fleet Race captured in behind-the-scenes documentary Major milestone moment for SailGP captured in behind-the-scenes documentary series, which reaches 10 million total viewers since launching in 2021.
Posted today at 8:45 am
Get ready to celebrate world's best sailing photos
16th edition of the Pantaenius Yacht Racing Image Award Professional photographers from around the globe are invited to submit their best yacht racing images captured between October 14, 2024, and October 12, 2025.
Posted today at 7:15 am
Alli Bell & Restless crew to make Transpac history
On course to be the first woman skipper to win Transpac overall Alli Bell and the crew of her Cal 40 Restless took a winch handle to the notion that winning the Transpacific Yacht Race's top corrected-time prize requires membership in an old-boys club or a mighty war chest.
Posted today at 6:28 am
Rolex Fastnet Race IRC Four preview
The pinnacle of grass roots sailing has 97 entries The very largest yachts, including the 100ft Ultim foiling trimarans and 60ft IMOCAs are an essential part of the spectacle of the Fastnet Race, however a critical element in the race's enduring appeal is that this is predominately a grass roots event.
Posted on 14 Jul
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 2
Classic Long Beach conditions return The weather conditions at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta shifted noticeably today, delivering the classic Long Beach breeze that many expect from this world-class venue.
Posted on 14 Jul