Experienced sailor Jay, whose successes include representing Bermuda in the Tornado Class at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 alongside his brother Reid (F 67-69), served in the dual role as sail trimmer and helmsman aboard the Clipper 68 yacht Ambitious in this year’s Rolex Fastnet Race. Jay had participated in two legs totalling 10,000 miles of the Clipper Round the World Race 2012/13 and re-joined Clipper again for the 2023 Fastnet Race.
First raced in 1925, Fastnet is the world’s largest offshore sailing race, and this year was the 50th edition of a race which sees sailors take on a challenging course around Fastnet Rock off the SW coast of Ireland. This year’s course started off at the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes and finished at Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France.
The crew of the Ambitious went on to receive third place in their class, a fantastic achievement, especially given the horrendous weather conditions that forced 142 of the record fleet of 430 to retire while also having to start dead last and two hours late due to engine difficulties.
“At the start, we had a few wind gusts of fifty plus knots and the waves were big but very, very steep and we could barely make headway or tack”, said Jay reflecting on the race. “Somehow, we managed to get through the narrow channel at The Needles. Rounding Fastnet Rock at night in dense mist and reduced visibility was very eerie but a triumphant moment. The run back to Cherbourg was quicker and easier but still produced some challenging off-wind sailing at times. All in all, many high and low moments but an epic adventure including a fulfilling sense of accomplishment.’’
Having competed in numerous Newport to Bermuda Races, The Sydney Hobart Race and The Middle Sea Race, Jay is thrilled to have fulfilled his dream to compete in The Fastnet Race, the most prestigious of ocean races.
