Fastnet 1979 - The Storm that Changed Sailing - RYA 150 Podcast - Royal Yachting Association - RYA | 937 views

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Fastnet 1979 - The Storm that Changed Sailing - RYA 150 Podcast

Royal Yachting Association - RYA

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Video ID: hdbIscwES6o
View Count: 937
Video Duration: 0:56:08
Published At: 2025-10-14 09:00:06 19d ago
Video Description: #yachtracing #sailing #podcast 00:00 Introduction to the conversation and our guests 01:09 The Weather during the race - scene setting 03:35 Weather report at the start of the race 03:58 Frances Reincke talks about her crew 06:15 A great start to the race... 06:41 The midnight forecast 07:30 Entering into horrendous condition 09:35 The biggest rescue - Mark talks about the call out to rescue 11:15 Mark talks about his crew and the challenges of the rescue 12:32 How do the rescue teams prioritise boats for rescue 12:56 22 hours on the water 14:18 Frances talks about their rescue 16:56 Richard Falk talks about the lessons learned from Fastnet 79 21:22 The evolution of weather prediction 24:38 Communication during the race 26:22 The underpinning knowledge 28:10 Cold water shock 30:14 The miles you put in before the race 33:18 A change in mindset 34:26 Was anything missed in 79? 40:48 Safety recommendations for the boat 43:13 Listening for rescue 44:31 Simon's biggest lessons in weather 47:45 Richard's hopes for the future 51:03 Simons tips for prepping for the Fastnet 53:02 Richards suggestion for prepping for the Fastnet 55:49 Dee talks about next weeks episode with Emily Penn The Fastnet Race is meant to be a test of skill and endurance – a prestigious offshore race on one of the sport’s toughest courses. To this day, it remains a bucket list challenge for many. In 1979, it became a tragedy that reshaped safety at sea. Rescue to the rescue Iconic, tough and respected worldwide – the Fastnet Race is one of offshore racing’s ultimate challenges. But in 1979, the race would go down in history for very different reasons. Without modern forecasting or real-time updates, sailors encountered a violent storm that escalated far beyond expectations. The fleet was overwhelmed, crews were stranded, and what began as a contest of seamanship became a fight for survival. Twenty-one lives were lost in the events that unfolded. From stricken competitors anxiously awaiting rescue, to the RNLI crews racing into danger, this episode captures first-hand accounts of the efforts and the bravery shown on that night. Featuring: Frances Reincke – a sailor who was rescued, sharing her personal story from inside the storm. Mark Gannon – Courtmacsherry RNLI crew member, recalling the 1979 call-out. Simon Rowell – Meteorologist, explaining the weather systems that built the tragedy and how forecasting and monitoring has evolved since. Richard Falk – RYA Director of Training & Qualifications, on how the lessons of 1979 transformed training, safety and seamanship. Lessons for a safer future How could so much go wrong so quickly? This episode explores what the Fastnet disaster revealed about preparedness, communication and seamanship in extreme conditions. The inevitable review that followed reshaped sailing forever. From sea survival training to international race protocols, design and improved forecasting, the legacy of the Fastnet disaster lives on in safety measureswe continue to rely on today and that have helped avert disaster of a similar scale since. Please note: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on this podcast, whether by guests or host are solely those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of any employers, sponsors, or affiliated organisations. All content is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Neither the host, guests, producers, nor any affiliated parties assume responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the information discussed. If you liked this video, give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends. 👍 Follow us on Insta: http://www.instagram.com/royalyachtingassociation/ Join our Facebook community: http://www.facebook.com/royalyachtingassociation/ Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/rya Website: http://www.rya.org.uk Subscribe to the RYA Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=RYA1875 Want to get out on the water? Start your adventure: http://www.rya.org.uk/go/startboating Are you a Dinghy Racer? Check out our Dinghy Racing Channel: https://youtube.com/dinghyracingchannel?sub_confirmation=1