The RNAS pulls a Magellan times two
Dating back to 1935, the Royal Naval Sailing Association’s and their Joint Services Sailing Centre, based in Gosport, Hampshire, trains British forces personnel from across the MoD in offshore sailing under a Royal Yachting Association/Maritime and Coastguard Agency (RYA/MCA) Cruising & Yachtmaster syllabus.
While they usually do this from Victoria 34s, Nicholson 55s and Challenge 67s on short cruises around the British Isles, the RNSA is doing something more ambitious this year.
Their two 72-foot yachts, Adventure of Hornet and Discoverer of Hornet have set sail on a 35,000 mile circumnavigation of the globe as they embark on a triservice training sailing expedition, Exercise Transglobe.
In voyages spanning some thirteen months, the two yachts – one manned by Royal Naval and Royal Air Force personnel and the other by Soldiers of the British Army – will sail around the world in 13 legs with a break in Australia to take part in the world-renowned Sydney-Hobart Yacht race.
A total of 392 women and men, both reserves and regulars, will take part.