A springboard for leaders
Why we set up Vixen Racing
Vixen Racing was built for people who feel the pull of something more demanding than a typical sailing experience. Not everyone starts as an offshore sailor. But many people reach a point where they want to test themselves in a more meaningful way. We created Vixen Racing as a clear and credible way to make that step. It is a place where capable individuals move from curiosity to confidence, taking on real roles at sea, learning fast, and becoming part of a crew that works together under pressure. This is not about ticking off miles. It is about stepping into a new level of responsibility and seeing what you are capable of when it counts.
Calm coaching direct feedback
How we coach
The way you learn offshore matters. We keep crews small so every person is involved, not observing. From the moment you step on board, you know your role and what you are working toward. Before we leave the dock, we walk the boat together, align on safety and systems, and set clear, achievable goals. On the water, coaching is calm, direct, and focused on what matters in the moment. After sailing, we review decisions, talk through what worked, and build a clear picture of what to take forward. You are not left guessing. You are guided, challenged, and supported in equal measure.
Safety is a trained skill
Safety leadership
Offshore confidence does not come from reading a checklist. It comes from knowing what to do when it matters. We treat safety as something you actively practise. You will work through equipment handling, man overboard protocols, watch systems, and clear communication before and during every trip. Everything is structured so that you understand not just what to do, but why it matters. The result is simple: You leave with habits that make you feel more capable, not more cautious.
Built to be pushed
The Racing Yacht
You will be sailing a real offshore race yacht. Vixen is a Verdier-designed Class40, built for performance and upgraded to deliver clear, honest feedback at the helm. It is fast enough that your decisions matter. You will feel the difference between doing something well and doing it poorly. That is exactly what makes it such a powerful learning environment. You are not stepping onto a forgiving platform. You are stepping onto one that shows you what is possible when things are done right.
A learning environment
Can I do this?
You do not need offshore racing experience to start. If you are comfortable on the water, open to learning, and willing to take part, you will be supported every step of the way. We design every programme so that you are challenged,
but never left out of your depth.
Experience you can trust
The crew
Every programme is led by Sharon Ferris-Choat. With more than 126,000 nautical miles, Olympic experience, and a round the world race win, Sharon brings deep offshore credibility.
What matters just as much is how she works with people. Her approach is calm, direct, and focused on helping each person step up without pressure or ego. The culture on board reflects that. People arrive from different backgrounds and experience levels, but quickly become part of a crew that is focused, supportive, and willing to learn.
Shared effort shared pride
What we value
The strongest part of any trip is not the conditions or the miles. It is the people.
Offshore sailing has a way of bringing out focus, honesty, and mutual respect. You work together, solve problems together, and rely on each other in a way that is hard to replicate elsewhere. That shared effort creates something lasting.
We are deliberate about who we bring together, and how we run each programme, so that every crew feels like a team, not a group of individuals. When spaces remain, we also open them to emerging sailors and media, helping more people access this world and contribute to it.
Backed By Those Who Know The Ocean
Trusted industry support for sails, ropes, vessel haulage and shipyard work keeps our Class 40 Yacht fully certified and race-ready. That all adds up to fewer delays, sharper drills, and maximum high performance sailing hours.
