Reindeer is a 1969 Swan 43. This was her seventh Rolex Fastnet Race.

We had fitted a new, shorter, mast to S&S specifications, removing 200kg and improving the rating significantly. With new sails and a strong crew, we lined up at the start with some optimism.

REINDEER Fastnet 2025 - Photograph courtesy of © Richard Thomas

And we had a fine first day. After taking the inside route at Portland - a hair-raising affair with the echo sounder down to 2 metres - we found ourselves in great shape.

But, as a fellow competitor said to me, the Fastnet is “50% chess and 50% casino”, and we gambled all-in on tacking north after the Scillies with the promise of a favourable wind shift to waft us along Irish coast to the Rock. Alas, the wind was not for shifting, and we ended up with a 40 mile beat instead. By the time we got to the Rock, the pack had gone and our goose was cooked.

We made some progress on the downwind leg, hindered a little by a spinnaker-wrap which was all my own doing. This had to be unravelled by someone going up the forestay at first light, and cost us a place or two.

And so we reached Cherbourg some 284 places away from the coveted Rolex, but with 10th in Class 4B for our efforts. The boat and the crew deserved better for sure, but let’s keep some perspective here: it is always a great experience to complete this classic race in a classic S&S yacht.

Next race, maybe more “chess” and less “casino”.....

All credit to the crew, with a special mention for Orla Fergusson, confidently completing her second Fastnet in Reindeer at the age of 14.