HH Three Peaks Yacht Race Is 25 This Year

There are 25 candles on the cake for this year's Helly Hansen Three Peaks Yacht Race.

Yep, that's right, the annual race which combines fell running and sailing, has now been running for 25 years, so who said adventure racing was a modern fad? The event combines ascents of the highest points in Wales, England and Scotland - Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis if you didn't know - with sailing legs between Barmouth, Caernarfon and on to Whitehaven and Fort William.

Notorious for making many a top runner violently sea sick as they're transported between the peaks, the race started off with just seven boats way back in 1977 and has grown steadily over the years spawning other sailing / mountain races as it went. In recognition of which, the organisers have invited a top Australian team to compete in this year's event.

It's an ideal event for Helly to be involved with, given that they produce both technical sailing and outdoor clothing and are currently pushing hard for recognition for their technical mountain clothing.

To check out the race web site, with coverage of last year's event click here. To take a look at the Helly Hansen site click here.

Note The Three Peaks Yacht Race shouldn't be confused with the controversial Three Peaks charity challenge walking event or the classic Three Peaks circuit and race in the Yorkshire Dales. Neither of these uses boats, though they'd sometimes come in handy in Yorkshire...