Worth reading this winter: FirstShift
We’re taking Blur to the Rolex Fastnet in 2027.
For a Baltic doublehanded crew that means tides, the Channel and IRC, which is unfamiliar territory for us. We found some useful homework at Stuart Greenfield’s Substack FirstShift. Stuart has fifty years offshore, has navigated the Fastnet and the Middle Sea Race, and writes about what actually wins races rather than what sailors argue.
Five pieces to start out with
- Offshore racing is now two sports. The entire IRC overall podium at the 2025 Fastnet was doublehanded. Stuart explains why that is a trend and not a fluke.
- How to win the Myth of Malham by stopping. Six tidal gates in 235 miles. For someone new to tides, this is gold.
- First beat fatigue. Watch systems, which matter even more when there are only two of you.
- How to build a polar for the boat you actually sail. It comes with a workbook and links to our polar collection, with the right warning attached.
- Storm in a very big teacup. World Sailing wants to restrict autopilots for boats with three or more crew. Doublehanded boats keep theirs, but the argument about who is actually sailing the boat is only starting.