Sailing has been a lifelong passion for Vanessa Jones, who recently won the ‘Fairview Summer Sailing Adventure Competition.’ In an interview, she shared her love for sailing, her experiences, and how winning the competition reignited her passion for life on the water.
Sailing Roots in the New Forest
Vanessa’s love for sailing began as a teenager growing up in Lyndhurst, in the heart of the New Forest. “My husband, whom I met at sixth form in Brockenhurst, frequently took me sailing on his father’s yacht based on the Beaulieu River,” Vanessa recalls fondly. Sailing has been a part of their shared life, with her husband first learning to sail as a boy on dinghies off Calshot Beach.
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A Family Affair
While Vanessa has had many years of sailing experience, life took a pause when family commitments came into play. “Before we started a family, we would travel to Lymington at weekends to crew on an Elizabethan 30,” she shares. Even after the children arrived, sailing remained part of their lives. “We would always take a Mirror dinghy on holiday to Devon,” Vanessa says, emphasizing how sailing became a family tradition.
Worldly Sailing Adventures
Vanessa’s love for the sea also intertwined with her professional life. As a project manager for BT Global Challenge, she was responsible for port stopovers and sponsor hospitality, which gave her a chance to sail in iconic locations around the world, including Boston, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Sydney, and Wellington. The highlight of her career was participating in one leg of the race, sailing from Wellington to Sydney.
Winning the Fairview Charter
Winning the 7-night UK CharterUK Charter with Fairview was a thrill for Vanessa and her husband, though she admits it was something they had often talked about but never had time to plan. “It’s the sort of thing you promise to book as a holiday, but sometimes life gets in the way, i.e., children and grandchildren!” she says.
An Unforgettable Summer Experience
Vanessa’s prize turned into an unforgettable summer sailing experience. “The trip turned out to be the best few days of warm weather this summer, with perfect skies and steady breezes,” Vanessa reflects. “We had wonderful sailing days, with beautiful lunchtime moorings in peaceful bays.”
She praises Fairview’s booking process as seamless, managed by “experienced office staff” who made everything easy and enjoyable. They recommended a professional skipper who was “confident and sociable without being imposing.” Her husband, with years of sailing experience, enjoyed the skipper’s flexibility in letting them handle the boat and stepping in for trickier moments like mooring in marinas.
Port Hamble and the Perfect Boat
Port Hamble left a lasting impression as a welcoming marina. “It was like a home from home,” Vanessa recalls. The facilities were excellent, and the family-friendly atmosphere made it a perfect spot for a marina-side meal with visiting relatives.
The boat itself, Oceanis 37, exceeded expectations. With just the two of them and their skipper on board, there was plenty of space, and the boat performed beautifully. “She was brisk but stable and easy on the helm,” Vanessa notes, clearly impressed with the vessel’s capabilities.
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Looking Forward to More Sailing Adventures
When asked if she would sail with Fairview again, Vanessa didn’t hesitate. “Yes, we would certainly consider using Fairview again. They are a well-organized, friendly outfit with plenty of experience for families and corporate sailors,” she says, adding a heartfelt, “Thank you Fairview for a lovely summer sailing adventure!”
For those dreaming of an unforgettable sailing holiday, Vanessa’s story is a testament to the joys of exploring the seas with Fairview. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or someone looking to reignite your passion for the water, Fairview has the expertise to make your sailing dreams come true. Contact the team today to plan yours.
