The RORC Griffin Fastnet team took on their second race of the season—and it certainly delivered. With strong breeze in the forecast, the youth team experienced a challenging and exhilarating offshore battle for the Myth of Malham Race, which mirrors the first 100-miles of the Rolex Fastnet Race.

"The Saturday morning start greeted us with over 20 knots of wind as we set up for the 235-mile race. A short upwind stretch gave us the chance to fine-tune our sail selection for the first leg out of the Solent. After rounding the iconic Needles, we headed offshore to ride the tide, then tacked back inshore with the fleet, hugging the coastline toward Portland for maximum advantage.

Crossing Lyme Bay, we hunted for the anticipated wind shift, eyes fixed on the horizon. The approach to Start Point brought relentless short-tacking—an exhausting test of endurance and teamwork. Early Sunday morning, the sight of Eddystone Lighthouse lifted spirits and marked our turning point.

We rounded the lighthouse and launched the kite, beginning the long downwind leg home. With the wind swinging between 15 and 30+ knots, it was a constant game of adjustments. Timing the shift to a bigger kite was tricky, but when the breeze eased, we committed—and it paid off.

It was a brilliant race: tactically demanding, physically intense, and full of valuable lessons to carry forward.  

Huge thanks to RORC and its members for their continued support. We’re already looking ahead to our next adventure—the Morgan Cup.