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Apivia – stand-out IMOCA performance in the Rolex Fastnet Race

An exceptional example of an extraordinary boat paired up with a hugely talented crew has been the combination of Apivia with doublehanders Charlie Dalin and Paul Meilhat competing in this 49th Rolex Fastnet Race. They arrived in Cherbourg early this morning scoring a resounding win in the 13-strong IMOCA fleet. This came as some small vindication after Dalin suffered victory … [Read more...] about Apivia – stand-out IMOCA performance in the Rolex Fastnet Race

First MOCRA multihull screams into Cherbourg on Rolex Fastnet Race

While it is hard to draw attention in the Rolex Fastnet Race away from the fast and the glamorous at the front end of the fleet, we must spare a thought for the smaller boats among Sunday’s 337 starters. As the mighty Ultime trimaran Maxi Edmond de Rothschild was arriving in Cherbourg having devoured the 695 mile course in just over one day, Alaistair Cooke’s Sigma 36 Sundance … [Read more...] about First MOCRA multihull screams into Cherbourg on Rolex Fastnet Race

Slow boats past the Scillies in the Rolex Fastnet Race

Ironic after Sunday’s brutal start, less than 48 hours in and across the Rolex Fastnet Race fleet competitors have been struggling in light winds, especially around the Traffic Separation Scheme between Land’s End and the Scilly Isles and, for those right at the front of the fleet, off Cherbourg. Since last night’s arrival of Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, to a tumultuous … [Read more...] about Slow boats past the Scillies in the Rolex Fastnet Race

Maxi Edmond de Rothschild establishes new Rolex Fastnet Race record

The extraordinary 32m long Ultime Maxi Edmond de Rothschild showed a clean pair of heels to the rest of the fleet in the 49th Rolex Fastnet Race arriving this evening (Monday 9 August) at 20:24:54 BST, setting a new record for the race’s new longer 695 mile course to Cherbourg of 1 days 9 hours 15 minutes and 54 seconds. As the huge blue and white trimaran arrived in … [Read more...] about Maxi Edmond de Rothschild establishes new Rolex Fastnet Race record

Skorpios fends off Apivia to be first monohull to the Rock

Almost 10 hours after the lead Ultime trimaran, Russian Dmitry Rybolovlev’s brand new ClubSwan 125 Skorpios became the first monohull to round southwest Ireland’s most famous rock this evening. Due to this year’s mostly upwind conditions being more ‘typically Rolex Fastnet Race’, even the massively fast Skorpios, was unable to better the record monohull time to the Fastnet Rock … [Read more...] about Skorpios fends off Apivia to be first monohull to the Rock

Rolex Fastnet Race Ultimes round the Rock as the majority tackle Start Point

Despite a blustery start and first night at sea in the 49th Rolex Fastnet Race, competitors have been making good progress west down the English Channel, with the bulk of the fleet at breakfast time this morning south of Start Point. Since yesterday’s dramatic, brutal departure from the Solent for the 337 entries in 25+ knot southwesterly headwinds and violent wind against … [Read more...] about Rolex Fastnet Race Ultimes round the Rock as the majority tackle Start Point

Lumpy Solent takes its toll as 49th Rolex Fastnet Race sets sail

The Rolex Fastnet Race has a reputation for the severe weather that it can throw at its competitors. Still strongly remembered is the 1979 race that cost 19 lives. Today the 49th edition of the 96-year-old offshore racing classic lived up to its fame as the first of seven starts got underway at 15 minute intervals starting at 1100 BST. Over the last three days strong … [Read more...] about Lumpy Solent takes its toll as 49th Rolex Fastnet Race sets sail

Rolex Fastnet Race – one day to go

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

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?