Most centenarians would prefer to take it a bit easier in their 100th year but Dauntsey’s School’s pilot cutter Jolie Brise is taking part in the Fastnet Race this month, 88 years after it won the first one.

The Jolie Brise triumphed in the first Fastnet Race in 1925, when seven boats entered the race. Then owned by Commander Evelyn George Martin, the 56ft gaff-rigged pilot cutter finished the race in six days, 14 hours and 45 minutes.

She won again in 1929 and 1930 and is the only yacht so far to have won the prestigious Fastnet Challenge Cup three times. Built in 1913, she is competing this year to celebrate her 100th anniversary. The yacht will be sailed by pupils from Dauntsey’s School, some as young as 15.

Skipper Toby Marris said: “Since Dauntsey’s School started to sail Jolie Brise, more than 9,000 pupils have sailed on her. She sails about 220 days each year, clocking up about 10,000 miles.

“We have raced across the Atlantic with the Tall Ships Race, as far north as inside the Arctic Circle, east as far as Russia and south as far as the Cape Verde Islands.

“For the Fastnet, we will have seven girls and boys from Dauntsey’s School, all under 18, and two crew selected by the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. We believe we will be the oldest boat in the fleet with the youngest crew.

“This race will become part of her history, so it is very special.”

Four other Wiltshire boats will be taking part in the challenging race: Loco from Swindon; Trustmarque Quokka 8 from Salisbury; Chaser from the REME Yacht Club in Chippenham; and White Knight 6 raced by the Royal Armoured Corps Yacht Club.

Some 3,500 competitors in 380 boats from more than 20 countries will take part in this year’s race, which sets off from Cowes on the Isle of Wight on Sunday, August 11.