Countdown to Record Breaking UKFSC

Published on: 25/04/2017

This May will see one of the largest firefighter participation sporting events in the UK, United Kingdom Firefighters Sailing Challenge, in its 14^th year and with less than a month to go; UKFSC 2017 is set to be a record breaker and Barrus is delighted to be supporting this year’s event as a Gold Sponsor.

The committee aims to encourage people with little or no experience to discover the thrills of racing ‘round the cans’ in a large regatta and over the past 13 years, sponsors, supporters and crew have raised over £80,000 for charitable causes.

This year, the most ever emergency services and sponsors are taking part in the event. 260 emergency services personnel, past, present or industry related will be taking to the water and the entire Sunsail fleet will be in use with 29 crews having entered.  

For the first time ever, spectators will be able to see race starts, mark-rounding and close racing between yachts as it happens through live drone footage which will be broadcast from the event and UKFSC’s online presence. A MAC 570 Double Centre Console will be provided by Barrus as a base for the drone to be flown from.

Two all-women boats will be competing this year; another UKFSC record. Siren Sisters, the Women in the Fire Service (WFS) entry with a crew of women firefighters from all over the UK will be returning to continue their achievements from last year and a second all-women boat, Magenta  with firefighters from Hampshire will be taking on the challenge for the first time. 

5 Clipper round the world sailors have now participated in UKFSC.  Either starting with Clipper Ventures and joining UKFSC or progressing from UKFSC to sailing round the world, the links between the two events are growing year on year through sailors participating in both events.

Dee Caffari has sailed around the world five times, is the first woman to have sailed single-handed and non-stop around the world in both directions and the only woman to have sailed non-stop around the world a total of three times. Record-breaking Dee Caffari is the guest speaker for the UKFSC 2017 event.

UKFSC will be held at Sunsail Port Solent Hampshire and racing will take place in the waters of the Solent off the Isle of Wight on the UKs south coast. Overnight marina berthing in West Cowes will be included. All boats are identical 40’ Sunsail sailing yachts which are modern, well equipped, fast and fun.  There is an option to sail with or without a spinnaker depending on crew experience.

For more information or to follow the event, visit www.ukfsc.org.uk. You can also follow @ukfiresailing on Twitter, @UKFSC on Instagram and ‘like’ United Kingdom Firefighters Sailing Challenge on Facebook.

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