This Sunday, August 9
th, 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.ukRoyal Ocean Racing Club Rolex
Fastnet Race website
http://fastnet.rorc.org/
