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I was chatting about the AZAB in the Pub recently (where else?) when someone asked “So where exactly are the Azores?” Good question. I know because I have looked, but it may not be obvious to everyone.   In short, in a yacht, turn starboard (right) out of Falmouth, steer 215 0  true and wait for about a week (1200 miles) until you bump into Sao Miguel.  The race heads to Ponta Delgada on the island of Sao Miguel, which is one of the nine islands of the Azores archipelago abou

Lifejackets on - Supporting a casualty We have recently attended classroom and swimming pool training to help us survive if the worst should happen offshore.  Hopefully we will have prepared the boat and planned the passages sufficiently well to avoid the possibility of a total loss of the boat, but you never know, so it’s best to be prepared, just in case.   We went on the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Offshore Personal Survival Course  run by Dorset Marine Training .  Th

Mark and Martyn in conversation on Elemental discuss the background to entering the race, why we want to race to the Azores and back, what we need to prepare, a qualifying passage, sailing short handed and racing experience. Enjoy the conversation. Please comment below and let us know what you would like to see in future blogs.

The end of a training day can often bring relief and a sense of accomplishment. But sometimes, unexpected moments turn a routine day into a memorable one for all the wrong reasons. That was the case when Mark accidentally hit his forehead on a shackle attached to the underside of the boom. What happened during the incident The day had been going well, we had had fun charging around Weymouth Bay at speeds in excess of 10 knots in 25 knots of wind. As we were preparing to reve

Elemental is an Arcona 435, built by Arcona Yachts of Sweden.This type of yacht is usually described as a "performance cruiser." In simple terms, that means that it's a "Cruiser-Racer" Mix:  Think of it as a boat that's really fast and fun to sail (the "performance" or "racer" part) but is also comfortable and well-equipped for longer holidays (the "cruiser" part). It’s designed to do both very well, which is a difficult balance to strike but which Arcona seem to have pulled

Our excitement is building as the 2027 Yacht Race approaches, but there seems to be ages yet before the race is due to start. Sailors from around the world will be gearing up for this thrilling event. But what does it take to prepare for such a monumental challenge? In this post, we will meet the crew of Yacht 49. Let’s dive into the preparations and meet the crew of Yacht 49 who will navigate the waves in 2027. The Crew: Who Are They? SKIPPER:MARK HOWELLS Mark started sail