This Sunday, August 9th, is the start of the Rolex Fastnet. The Rolex Fastnet is the flagship race of the Royal Ocean Racing Club. The 608 nautical mile Fastnet race starts from the Royal Yacht Squadron Line in front of West Cowes, when the maximum entry of 300 boats (from 16 different countries) will set sail from the Isle of Wight, along the south coast all the way to Lizard's Point. The boats then round Lizard's Point, heading across the Celtic Sea towards the south coast of Ireland, circle the Fastnet rock just off the southwest Irish coast, and then head back to the finish at Plymouth.
There are several different classes of boats, as entries range from huge 100 footers down to 30 footers. The start is staggered over 2 hrs. One of the most exciting aspects of the Fastnet race is that the 2,500 competitors include a huge variety of different abilities and experience from amateur sailors, Olympic sailors, America's Cup sailors, Volvo Ocean Race sailors, Portimao Global Ocean Race sailors, Artemis Transat and Rolex Sydney Hobart competitors. The Fastnet race is a spectacular event for spectators as the 300 yachts head west in the Solent and will be clearly visible from shore. The best view is said to be from Hurst Castle, near Lymington.
Follow the Fastnet on Cowes Radio 87.7 FM and online www.cowesradio.co.uk
Royal Ocean Racing Club Rolex Fastnet Race website http://fastnet.rorc.org/
