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#fastnet on Twitter
RORC 1stportofcall
The last fleet of boats is now only 30+nm away from finishing the #fastnet 2011. Well done to all competitors from
www.firstportofcall.com
ABOUT 3 minutes AGO
sailing_news
Back to back wins for Ran
http://t.co/UxgPMXb
ABOUT 4 minutes AGO
dailysail_james
Tanguy de Lamotte points out that he has secured back to back Rolex Fastnet Race wins too...in the Class 40
http://t.co/4sn39N3
ABOUT 5 minutes AGO
dailysail_james
Back to back overall handicap wins for Ran in the Rolex Fastnet Race....the first time in 50 years this has happened
http://t.co/jvcbsfD
ABOUT 7 minutes AGO
YeahBloodyNice
Rolex Fastnet Race: Rambler owner and crew interviewed in Baltimore
http://t.co/tMalavj #sailing #sailworld
ABOUT 9 minutes AGO
TheDailySail
Back to back wins for Ran: For the first time in more than 50 years the Rolex Fastnet Race...
http://t.co/Eve4jZH
ABOUT 9 minutes AGO
YeahBloodyNice
Back to back wins for Ran
http://t.co/w24GENt #sailing #dailysail
ABOUT 10 minutes AGO
MadAboutYachts
So many boats now within 50 miles of finishing - it's going to be a busy night for #RORC #Fastnet
ABOUT 13 minutes AGO
stephensmith3
Key Yachting Issue Their Fastnet Top Twenty
http://t.co/Yx5pmaT
ABOUT 14 minutes AGO
sailracewin
Awesome @sealaunay images from the start of #RFR Rolex #Fastnet Race, with words by @liaartistsailor on
http://t.co/A6LaLes + @MOD70 video
ABOUT 21 minutes AGO
sailracewin
RT @Gregsailing : Gaïa 2ème du #Fastnet en IRC2! Bravo au skipper Marc de Saint Denis, président de l'UNCL et navigateur pour notre victoire sur l'ArMen Race!
ABOUT 22 minutes AGO
BYMNews_Photos
Niklas Zennström, owner/helmsman of RÁN, 2011 ROLEX FASTNET RACE winner -
http://t.co/XEuNhK0 #fastnet #sailing #rolex
ABOUT 26 minutes AGO
Gregsailing
Gaïa 2ème du #Fastnet en IRC2! Bravo au skipper Marc de Saint Denis, président de l'UNCL et navigateur pour notre victoire sur l'ArMen Race!
ABOUT 33 minutes AGO
YeahBloodyNice
RT @sophielovespink : 14 sailors, 9 of whom lost at least one limb whilst serving in the Armed Forces, completed the #Fastnet Race this morning. Very humbling.
ABOUT 41 minutes AGO
IDBSsoftware
Joopster finished 8th in IRC2 - congratulations to Neil & crew! #fastnet
http://t.co/DAVowPH
ABOUT 42 minutes AGO
sailracewin
RT @Gregsailing : Le #Fastnet , véritable match race entre #RaceForWater et #Veolia . Le circuit #MOD70 s'annonce passionnant!
http://t.co/UsoY7UA
ABOUT 43 minutes AGO
Exactly my experience to Mark.
NB.note below the army lads beat the other forces crews also in the race including the `Red Arrows`
Prev
Next BLESMA Crew - Victors in Forces Challenge
A crew of 14 sailors, nine of whom have lost at least one of their limbs whilst serving in the Armed Forces, successfully completed the Rolex Fastnet Race early this morning. The jubilant crew are currently lying 30th in their class (IRC 1) and the race is one of BLESMA's showpiece rehabilitation events of the year. BLESMA (British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association) was formed in 1922.
Sailing on Spirit of Juno, Ondeck's Farr 65 for the first time was double amputee, Alan Roberts: "I wanted to give myself a challenge, especially since the accident and losing both my legs. I like to set myself goals and I've achieved that today! The whole race was brilliant from start to finish. I'd never sailed before and both training for it and actually taking part was brilliant, really good. There was so much banter on board, typical military banter, jokes being cracked even when it was raining, soaking wet and cold. The jokes were flying round all day and night and it kept morale up so everyone stayed in good spirits. Now I've been introduced to sailing, I would definitely like to do more. Hopefully with BLESMA and then look at the bigger picture, maybe get myself on a Day Skipper course and then work my way up to watch leader."
"We're really pleased to have won our challenge between the Forces boats - the other boats are still out at sea and may be for some time. In a way, it's sad that the race has finished as we've bonded really well, but even if this part of our voyage is over, I'm sure there will be more opportunities to meet up," continued Roberts.
Ernie Staples, the Assistant General Secretary of BLESMA has spent 40 years in the Military and 5 ½ years at BLESMA. "The Rolex Fastnet Race is a fabulous opportunity for the crews. BLESMA go forward on the twin pillars of welfare and rehabilitation. Welfare is making sure they get all the allowances and everything they deserve and on the other pillar, the rehabilitation activities. Challenging, adventurous pursuits like sailing, diving and skiing which we do throughout the year. The Rolex Fastnet is something really big and some of these guys on the race have never sailed before, so it's quite a fantastic achievement for them."
"Crew members like Alan who lost both legs in Iraq 12 months ago, thought he'd never be able to walk again. He's never sailed before and all of a sudden, he's on the Fastnet. It's a massive achievement in his life. If you've got confidence that you can achieve something, you've got confidence you can do anything in life. This whole thing is not about disability, it's about ability and what you can achieve."
Skipper, Paul Burns: "It's a life changing experience and these guys will now go on to influence the other limbless servicemen. I lost my leg in 1979 and I was in exactly the same situation as these guys are now. I know what they are going through and I know what I have achieved. I am now a qualified Yachtmaster and I've gained that coming through the system, learning through BLESMA and I want to influence them to do what I've done. They can be skippering a crew in the Rolex Fastnet Race. They all want to go and sail again and are itching to take part in the next event, that's my payment for doing this."
http://www.blesma.org/
There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok".
