Price
£285
Nights
Two
Age range
14–25
Start port
Portsmouth
End port
Portsmouth
Voyage code
CF885
Bursary
Available
Voyage highlights
Ever dreamed of racing a yacht? Now you can!
Join us for an exciting beginner friendly race training weekend in the Solent! You’ll get to experience the thrill of racing a 72ft Challenger yacht, a famous vessel known for sailing around the world (twice!) in the BT Global Challenge.
This weekend sits within Tall Ships Youth Trust’s Youth Ocean Racing Pathway and is designed to bridge the gap between dinghy or small‑boat sailing and racing on a large offshore yacht. Sailing onboard one of our iconic 72ft Challenger yachts, you’ll experience what it’s like to race as part of a bigger crew where communication, coordination and teamwork are vital.
This voyage is ideal for young people who:
- Are curious about racing or ocean sailing
- Enjoy teamwork and friendly competition
- Want to develop confidence in a new environment
- Are looking for a step‑up challenge without committing to a long voyage
You don’t need previous racing experience. If you’re unsure whether this weekend is right for you, our team will be happy to advise.
Training is progressive, practical, and fully supported by our professional crew.
Friday – Arrival and Training
Join the yacht in Portsmouth, meet your crew, share goals and complete safety briefings before heading out into the Solent for introductory racing drills.
Saturday – Race Day
Put your new skills into action during a competitive race against another Challenger crew, including an early mainsail hoist and Le Mansstyle start.
Sunday – Race Back & Debrief
Race back to Portsmouth, building on everything you’ve learned, followed by prizegiving and reflection on the weekend.
By the end of the weekend, participants typically leave with:
- Increased confidence and self-belief
- New racing and teamwork skills
- Stronger communication abilities
- New friendships and a sense of achievement
Many young people use this weekend as a springboard into longer ocean racing, Empowerment or Leadership voyages. It also works brilliantly as a standalone adventure.
This itinerary and the length/course of the race depend on weather conditions and may be subject to change. Alternative competitive activities may be included in the event of insufficient wind.
All meals are provided, and allergens / dietary requirements can be catered for.
We have bursaries available for this racing weekend to help support anyone who might need a little extra financial support to join. If you need support, we encourage you to apply and see if you qualify.
If you need help with booking online or want to talk about payment plans, please reach out to reservations@tallships.org
