Yacht Charter Brighton

The biennial Fastnet Race (August) is one of the world's classic ocean races, the 608-mile course a test for skippers and crews with its tricky tidal currents and changeable weather conditions. The race starts off Cowes, Isle of Wight.

The course will take the large fleet (250+ yachts) South West down the Solent, past the Needles and out into the English Channel. The headlands along the South Coast of England - Anvil Point, Portland Bill, Start Point, The Lizard, Lands End - must each be weathered on the way to open ocean and the leg North West to the Fastnet Rock with its mythical lighthouse. The return leg to Plymouth, via Bishop Rock Lighthouse on the South side of the Scilly Isles, is just as demanding, as fatigue and competition take their toll.

Round Britain Challenge (End of May) races clockwise around Britain starting and finishing in Southampton, taking about two weeks. The yachts, which are all identical, are 72 ft steel yachts, built to withstand any of the extremes the crews are likely to face when battling it out in the North Sea. They are sailed by a crew of 16 volunteers, plus a professional skipper and first mate.

Yacht Hire Brighton, Round the Island Race (End of June).

Round the Island Race (End of June). The most spectacular yacht race of its kind in the world. Each year in excess of 1000 yachts make an annual race around the Isle of Wight. A marvellous array of spinnakers in numbers only witnessed in UK waters during this one event, provides a photographic dream and a true opportunity to entertain and enthral your guests.

Cowes Week (second week of August). The leading International sailing regatta. Crews from around the world convene in the Solent to take part in a week of intensive competition. The event originated over 100 years ago allowing European royalty to pit their sailing ability against each other.

Honda Formula Powerboat Racing (September). Southampton Boat Show plays host to an exhilarating cocktail of speed, noise and fantastic hospitality. Having celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2000, this event continues to move from strength to strength as evidenced by the ever-increasing quality and numbers of competitors on the water.