“I missed the ocean life and wanted to be part of a team” – Peter Smith
Experienced Solihull Sailor Competing in Transatlantic Race
This retired Solihull man is donning his waterproofs once more to contest a high-profile two-week transatlantic yacht race. Peter Smith, 64, former Fujitsu sales and marketing director in Solihull, is preparing to sail across the Atlantic Ocean for a fourth time by participating in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) later this month.
One of 12 crew members to sign up with Southampton-based sailing specialists First Class Sailing, Peter is taking part in the renowned 2,700-mile ARC from Las Palmas in the Canaries to St. Lucia in the Caribbean.
Challenger 3, a 72-foot yacht entered by First Class Sailing, is skippered by Ricky Chalmers, with support from a mate and two watch leaders, and is one of more than 200 vessels taking part in the race, which is expected to finish in early December.
After a week of racing, charting a south-westerly course for the finish line, the First Class Sailing vessel is equidistant between the Canary Islands and St Lucia, its Caribbean destination.
Quenching the Thirst for Ocean Racing
“Before I did the Clipper I got my yachtmaster’s licence” Peter Smith
The team is bidding to secure as high a finish as possible and Peter, who is a relative latecomer to sailing, has taken part in several famous yacht races and is quenching his thirst for more by entering the ARC.
He said: “I missed the ocean life and wanted to be part of a team – I can’t wait to race again. Back in 2011 I completed the Clipper Round the World Race, which took 51 weeks, and raised £5,000 for charity, but this time it’s purely for enjoyment.”
Peter, whose interest in the sport began over 15 years ago, has since racked up an impressive sailing CV. “I first got a taste for sailing in 2000 and since then I’ve sailed in the Clipper, the 2013 Fastnet from Cowes to Plymouth via Ireland, and the Isle of Wight Round the Island race this year,” he said.
“Before I did the Clipper I got my yachtmaster’s licence the same year and I’m also an ambassador for the Isle of Wight Ellen MacArthur Trust.”
First Class Training and Adventures All Year
In case you didn’t know First Class Sailing provides the full range of RYA sailing courses, plus a huge variety of yachting experiences – including sailing the ARC yacht to Las Palmas via the Bay of Biscay and back across the Atlantic to the UK from Antigua.
The company has been awarded a Trip Advisor certificate of excellence three years running.
Sailing holidays to various parts of the world are on offer, including Norwegian fjord cruises next year and participation in races such as the 2017 ARC Rally, The Rolex Fastnet – a race from Cowes to Ireland, finishing in Plymouth – and the Round the Island race circumnavigating the Isle of Wight.
Anyone wishing to book a place at the 2017 ARC with First Class Sailing should contact Charlie Tulloch on 0203 006 3717 or via email [email protected]
