Like a trial run for tomorrow’s start of the Rolex Fastnet Race, today the Solent has been in blustery mood with an overcast sky, rain and perpetual gusty winds. The forecast for the start of the 49th edition of the world’s largest offshore race remains for winds of 20-25 knots with gusts into the 30s, although the rain is set to subside. Given the conditions, the Rolex … [Read more...] about Rolex Fastnet Race – one day to go
Sport
Rolex Fastnet Race – big or a small boat race?
The start of the Rolex Fastnet Race will take place from the Royal Yacht Squadron line off Cowes on Sunday, with a first warning signal for the multihull classes at 1100, followed at 15 minute intervals by the IMOCAs/Class40s, and then the five IRC classes starting with IRC Four and finishing with IRC Zero at 1230. The largest offshore race in the world, the Rolex Fastnet … [Read more...] about Rolex Fastnet Race – big or a small boat race?
Rolex Fastnet Race. MACIF pipped at the post by Maxi Edmond de Rothschild in Ultim competition
The 32m long Ultim trimarans laid on a spectacular finish in this 48th Rolex Fastnet Race resulting in MACIF, the leader since rounding the Fastnet Rock earlier this morning, being beaten to the finish line in the last breath of the race by her arch-rival Maxi Edmond de Rothschild. As Maxi Edmond de Rothschild's skipper Franck Cammas explained: "Just after they … [Read more...] about Rolex Fastnet Race. MACIF pipped at the post by Maxi Edmond de Rothschild in Ultim competition
Rolex Fastnet Race, Plymouth sailors take on the world’s biggest offshore race
Chris Briggs, based in Plymouth, will be sailing his Nigel Irens 12m trimaran, The Edge in the Rolex Fastnet Race, one of the world's most challenging and tactical offshore races, starting at the beginning of August from Cowes, Isle of Wight. Known as the largest offshore race in the world - The Rolex Fastnet Race which will see 400 boats in the 605 mile race. The … [Read more...] about Rolex Fastnet Race, Plymouth sailors take on the world’s biggest offshore race
Lions roar in Singapore as warship’s rugby team win historic cup
HMS Albion’s Lions rugby team showed grit and determination as they lifted the historic 1887 Challenge Cup after defeating Singapore’s national champions 20-16. The Lions, made up of Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines from Plymouth-based warship HMS Albion, were welcomed by Singapore Cricket Club Select XV and edged a tight encounter with Albion’s Commanding Officer … [Read more...] about Lions roar in Singapore as warship’s rugby team win historic cup
Rolex Fastnet Race 2019 – Change of Date to Saturday 3rd August
The 2019 edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race will start on Saturday 3rd August 2019, which is two weeks earlier than the original published date. Unusually, the race will now run the week before Lendy Cowes Week, whose dates remain unchanged, starting on Saturday 10th August. This break with tradition, in consultation with Lendy Cowes Week, has been made for a number of … [Read more...] about Rolex Fastnet Race 2019 – Change of Date to Saturday 3rd August
Rough weather predicted for Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race
Twenty eight teams with crew from 18 different countries have started the 2018 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race, organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club. The cannon fire from the Royal Yacht Squadron Line signalled the start of one of the world's toughest yacht races. For the start at midday on Sunday 12th August, a cold front from the Atlantic provided pewter skies … [Read more...] about Rough weather predicted for Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race
Concise home as Dongfeng Race Team leads VO65s around the Rock
Unchallenged, Concise 10 blazed into Plymouth this morning, first boat home in the 47th Rolex Fastnet Race. Tony Lawson's MOD70 trimaran crossed the finish line off Plymouth breakwater at 05:55:00 BST with a race time of 42 hours and 55 minutes. This time didn't come close to the overall multihull record for the Rolex Fastnet Race but it was still respectable considering they … [Read more...] about Concise home as Dongfeng Race Team leads VO65s around the Rock
Classic upwind start for record breaking Rolex Fastnet Race
The Solent laid on 'classic' conditions for the start of the Royal Ocean Racing Club's 47th Rolex Fastnet Race. In brilliant sunshine and with brisk westerly winds gusting up to 20 knots, the giant fleet tacked up the western Solent before compressing through the usual bottleneck at Hurst Narrows. A record-sized fleet of 368 boats started the race, 12 more than two years ago, … [Read more...] about Classic upwind start for record breaking Rolex Fastnet Race
Can France make it a Rolex Fastnet Race hat trick?
In the last two editions of the RORC's biennial flagship event from Cowes to Plymouth via southwest Ireland's most famous rock, French boats have not just won, they have dominated. For example in the last race in 2015, Géry Trentesaux's JPK 10.80 Courrier Du Leon won by more than two and a half hours, and, despite racing in IRC Three, beat all of the IRC Two boats … [Read more...] about Can France make it a Rolex Fastnet Race hat trick?