Since 1925 the Fastnet Race has been the major offshore race in the UK, drawing boats from many locations to compete in or just to complete this gruelling offshore race. The 600nM race is from Cowes, IoW, down Channel to round the Fastnet Rock off SW Ireland and then back to Plymouth.
The Rolex Fastnet Race, organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2015, with the 46th edition of this biennial 603-nautical mile offshore classic proving both intriguing and dramatic. A record fleet of 356 yachts from 25 countries competed, a clear demonstration of the event’s enduring appeal. Light conditions characterised the early part of the race, impacting the start from Cowes and the larger yachts chasing record times. Multihull line honours was claimed by the 131-ft Swiss trimaran Spindrift 2 while the 100-ft Maxi Comanche from the United States was the fastest monohull finisher prevailing ahead of fellow American yacht Rambler by a mere 4 minutes. In the latter part of the race the fleet’s smaller, predominantly Corinthian-crewed yachts, benefitted from an upturn in breeze rounding the emblematic Fastnet rock in more classic conditions. Claiming overall victory on IRC handicap was the 35-ft French yacht Courrier du Leon, whose magnificent exploits on the water were rewarded with the Fastnet Challenge Trophy and a Rolex timepiece at the final prizegiving held in Plymouth.
See highlights of 2015 (the 90th anniversary race): HERE
Website: Fastnet Race (Rolex)
Our image shows the 1925 winner JOLIE BRISE rounding the famous Fastnet rock in 2013 (her centenary year). Photo: Rick Tomlinson (Dauntsey’s School)