Three Peaks Yacht Race preview

The Barmouth to Fort William Three Peaks Yacht Race, to take place this year from June 27th, combines yachting, mountain running and cycling into one of the greatest adventure challenges in British sport. Teams consist of three sailors and two runners, who set sail from Barmouth on the Welsh coast to Fort William in Scotland, via Caernarfon and Whitehaven, racing to the summits of Snowdon (3560ft) Scafell Pike (3208ft) and Ben Nevis (4408ft) on the way. The race now in its 38th year is one of the oldest adventure challenge races in the world. The first event in June 1977 featured just seven yachts, with only four able to complete the course and over the years a total of 500 teams have competed in the event, amongst them some famous faces including renowned sailors Robin Knox Johnston, Bob Fisher and Skip Novak, and the legendary fell runner Joss Naylor. The race has an international reputation and the sailing/mountain running idea has been copied in various locations around the world, but it is the original event that most aspire to, and those who do enter often return time and again. The course consists of 389 miles of testing coastal sailing, 24 miles of cycling and 60 miles of mountain running, with a total ascent of 14,000ft to the highest points in Wales, England and Scotland However, there have been some changes over the years as the race adapts to the times, and this year there are significant new rules in the Lake District section of the race. The cycle into Ennerdale from Whitehaven has been lengthened and racers will now leave their bikes at Black Sail Youth Hostel, running from there to the summit of Scafell Pike and back. Sailing times in Whitehaven will now also be taken once yachts are underway in the outer harbour, so that any waiting time caused by the tidal lock gate to the marina is not included in race time. All entries this year must have an IRC handicap certificate (these can be a bought just for the race if required). The race attracts competitive sailors and past winners who are aiming to win, and those more used to coastal cruising, who are in new and unfamiliar territory and just hope to finish, avoiding sand banks, inshore rocks and whirlpools along the way! The old hands know rowing the yachts will be critical at some point, and the new comers will not quite believe it, until the moment comes! The athletes include triathletes, marathon, mountain and ultra runners, adventure racers and those who just plan to walk up the mountains. The 2015 race begins from Barmouth on Saturday June 27th, and you can find out more on the new race website. This now includes race videos, a notice board for putting teams together and a complete historical results archive. You can also download the race entry form there and entry costs £850 per team for the week long adventure of a lifetime.