| Introduction |
 Since
their introduction a few years ago, 'Fastrack' yachtmaster courses
have been the focus of a great deal of attention, and criticism.
Despite this, the number of courses on offer has continued to
grow. With this in mind, Yachting World has decided to follow
a student through a Fastrack course to get the inside story.
Until a few weeks ago, 30-year-old Sarah Shepherd was Yachting
World's senior marketing executive. A restless traveller by
nature, she'd been thinking about making a change in her life
for some time. Now she's gone 'back to school' for a 14-week
fast track 'zero to hero' Yachtmaster course with Cowes-based
school Flying Fish.
Despite her involvement with Yachting World, Sarah's sailing
experience is limited. She's spent a couple of weeks sailing
dinghies in Minorca, a week on a friend's 40 footer in the Caribbean,
and has sailed aboard a classic gaffer in Les Voiles d'Antibes.
So can Flying Fish turn Sarah into a competent Yachtmaster in
three and a half months?
At the end of her course Sarah will take two exams: one with
the RYA for her Yachtmaster certificate, and one with an independent
examiner who will give YW an honest assessment of her skill
and competence.
You can follow Sarah's progress via weekly reports on this website,
and upcoming articles in Yachting World. |
| |
|
 |
| Most recent stories |
• Exam Day!
Flying Fish trainee Sarah Shepherd reports on her successful RYA Yachtmaster Offshore practical examination
18 December 2004, Yachting World - Sarah Shepherd
• End of term!
Our Yachtmaster trainee has completed her final exam - but how did she do?
1 December 2004, Yachting World
• Back home for phase three
The Yachtmaster trainees return to the Solent for the final phase of their training
15 November 2004, Yachting World - Sarah Shepherd
• End of phase two for Flying Fish trainees
Our yachtmaster trainees reach Sydney for an emotional wrap up to the Australian phase of their course
29 October 2004, Yachting World - Sarah Shepherd
• Flying Fish hop to Sydney
Our Yachtmaster trainees take over as they tick off the miles towards Sydney.
18 October 2004, Yachting World - Sarah Shepherd
• We're Sydney bound!
Our Flying Fish yachtmaster students leave Airlie beach on a series of overnight passages towards Sydney
12 September 2004, Yachting World - Sarah Shepherd
• Reef dodging and shark breeding
Yachtmaster trainee Sarah assumes the role of skipper for the day as the students prepare for their trip to Sydney
3 September 2004, Yachting World - Sarah Shepherd
|
| |
|
