The Five Ps

'Perfect planning produces perfect performance' is something that Sailing Logic's Managing Director, Allie Smith, knows all about. The specialist race charter company has three boats in this year's Rolex Fastnet, including Philippe Falle’s Reflex 38, Puma Logic, runner-up in IRC Class One in 2007.

"Preparing for the Rolex Fastnet Race is very important, it gives the team the best chance of success. The Puma Logic crew have different skills and levels of experience but all of them get involved in the preparation. It is a good way to bond with the boat, a sense of belonging to the project," commented Allie.

The essential check lists produced by Puma Logic over and above the RORC requirements centre around water, food and boat spares, as Smith explains;

"Puma Logic have ten crew and we cater for four and a half days; 125 litres of water in jerry cans, breakfast consists of cereal bars but lunch and dinner are more substantial; proper home cooked food, chicken curry for example. Each crew member has a dog bowl to eat out of which is perfect for the job.

We don't pack a full tool kit but take a selection and other essentials including a sail repair kit and we hide a winch handle on board ... just in case they throw all the others over the side!

For a race crew to get personal satisfaction from the Rolex Fastnet race, they need to have performed to their expectations and that can only happen if the preparation is spot on."