The Fastnet Race - 51° 23' 21"N 09° 36' 11"W
![Image](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_Xm29cgz1bOzv0397klnObpkP9siiLIbCon-2K3NyEU3GthZjB-02Uf6xW42WaI0xSMg2ACpZ2LLuuNfIQWX6A5BPcQS90ZQ--L9IUOD_32ZnoQgstSthduV-zWxXO7nGFmHhb-G88_xk0GQH1ZLD9XMJneHyOW3uMWb4jh59uLggEjNKg_I89Jpn8U/w640-h470/Screen%20Shot%202023-06-29%20at%204.59.49%20AM.png)
The Fastnet Race - that doesn't look too bad! Setting the scene Emma is a cruising boat, twenty glorious tonnes of gleaming aluminium with all the creature comforts - air-conditioning, microwave, freezer - that one would expect on well-appointed cruising yacht. She was loaded up with a tonne of spares, lots of warm clothes, cockpit cushions, cosy bedding and a galley filled to the gunwales with tasty food. VERY few race boats would choose to compete this heavy. Emma's sail wardrobe consists of a main, a furling headsail, a furling staysail, an asymmetrical spinnaker and the mandatory storm sails. This is quite a lean selection, and a slight disadvantage, compared to other competitors who race with far more sail options. For the non-racing sailors, furling sails do not allow trimming the sail to an optimum shape - they are designed for ease and convenience. The relatively sparse selection of sails would cause most racing aficionados to shake their head in dismay