Centenarian vessel will sail in The Fastnet Race 2013

SOUTH PETHERTON, U.K. - June 21, 2013 - PRLog -- Britain’s longest serving sail training vessel, Duet, is an iconic, 15 metre, gaff-rigged yawl. She was built in 1912 - the same year as the YBDSA was formed - and has sailed more than 250,000 nautical miles, taking over 8,000 people to sea. She will be racing in The Fastnet Race from 11 – 15 August 2013, and will be skippered by YDSA member and accomplished sailor, David Cannell. The 2013 Fastnet Race will be the second time Duet has participated, having raced previously in 1975.

David Cannell says, “It is an honour to be in charge of Duet and her crew, and one of great responsibility. I have been supported from the offset by the race committee and the Cirdan Sailing Trust, and I have even completed my Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate in preparation. I am excited, and slightly nervous for the Fastnet Race and will do my best to make history again for the centenarian vessel.”

Duet was awarded the Olympic Inspire Mark for her centenary Voyage to Success in 2012 and was named the Sail Training Vessel of the Year by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO).

The Cirdan Sailing Trust works with children and young adults – often coming from difficult backgrounds – giving them new and exciting experiences by taking them to sea – an activity some of them would never usually realise. To date, the charity has taken more than 30,000 young people to sea. The aim of participating in the race is to raise £60,800 for the chosen charity – £100 per nautical mile.

For more information about the charity, please visit www.cirdantrust.org and to donate, please visit http://www.justgiving.com/duetfastnet

For further information about the YDSA visit www.ydsa.co.uk.