Graham Snook, Yachting Monthly and Motor Boat and Yachting photographer, reports that Spirit of Minerva’s crew have only cold army rations with which to get themselves back to Plymouth

Photographer Graham Snook reports that the Farr 65 Spirit of Minerva, chartered by the Joint Services Command and Staff College, rounded Fastnet Rock at 1830 yesterday, 24 hours after rounding the Lizard.

The Joint Services crew has had an eventful trip so far – broken genoa sheets, a leaky stern gland – but the latest drama to befall the Joint Services crew, sponsored by Carphone Warehouse, will test the adage about marching on their stomachs. The crew is reduced to cold army rations.

The ridge of high pressure bringing us such lovely weather is making the Fastnet a good deal longer than many would wish. The challenges of this 608-mile offshore classic change dramatically when drifting east across placid Western Approaches. Looking after the boat and sails on the trip out really pays off on the way back.