RYA 150 Podcast
Join sailing legend Dee Caffari MBE for a very special podcast series celebrating 150 years of the RYA.
Incredible stories from one remarkable community and a century and a half of adventure on the water.
From Olympic triumphs to the 1979 Fastnet storm that changed sailing forever.
From pioneering women breaking barriers to the cutting-edge technology shaping our future.
We'll be chatting to the people who lived these moments, sharing first-hand accounts, behind-the-scenes insights and stories that have inspired generations.
The RYA 150 Podcast launches Tuesday 16 September – with new episodes every week.
Subscribe now, and celebrate 150 years of boating with us.
RYA 150 Podcast
The Storm that Changed Sailing - Fastnet '79
#yachtracing #sailing #podcast
The Fastnet Race is meant to be a test of skill and endurance – a prestigious offshore race on one of the sport’s toughest courses. To this day, it remains a bucket list challenge for many.
In 1979, it became a tragedy that reshaped safety at sea.
Rescue to the rescue
Iconic, tough and respected worldwide – the Fastnet Race is one of offshore racing’s ultimate challenges. But in 1979, the race would go down in history for very different reasons.
Without modern forecasting or real-time updates, sailors encountered a violent storm that escalated far beyond expectations.
The fleet was overwhelmed, crews were stranded, and what began as a contest of seamanship became a fight for survival. Twenty-one lives were lost in the events that unfolded.
From stricken competitors anxiously awaiting rescue, to the RNLI crews racing into danger, this episode captures first-hand accounts of the efforts and the bravery shown on that night.
Featuring:
Frances Reincke – a sailor who was rescued, sharing her personal story from inside the storm.
Mark Gannon – Courtmacsherry RNLI crew member, recalling the 1979 call-out.
Simon Rowell – Meteorologist, explaining the weather systems that built the tragedy and how forecasting and monitoring has evolved since.
Richard Falk – RYA Director of Training & Qualifications, on how the lessons of 1979 transformed training, safety and seamanship.
Lessons for a safer future
How could so much go wrong so quickly? This episode explores what the Fastnet disaster revealed about preparedness, communication and seamanship in extreme conditions.
The inevitable review that followed reshaped sailing forever. From sea survival training to international race protocols, design and improved forecasting, the legacy of the Fastnet disaster lives on in safety measureswe continue to rely on today and that have helped avert disaster of a similar scale since.
Please note: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on this podcast, whether by guests or host are solely those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of any employers, sponsors, or affiliated organisations. All content is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Neither the host, guests, producers, nor any affiliated parties assume responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the information discussed.