Mike Broughton first did the Fastnet Race as a 17-year-old. It was 1979, the year that severe storms battered the fleet and 15 lives were lost. Like most of the fleet, Mike didn’t reach the Fastnet Rock that year, but he was undeterred and has competed in virtually every Fastnet since then. Mike offers some advice not just on navigation but on the many different areas of preparation that a team should undertake before embarking on the Rolex Fastnet Race. Most of his advice applies to competing safely and successfully in any offshore race.