Lonely Rock Race plans August start

A new rival to the RORC’S Fastnet Race is planning to go ahead as planned in August, if possible. The first ever Lonely Rock Race, organised by the Royal Western Yacht Club in Plymouth, was conceived with the aim of bringing the Fastnet Race course back to Plymouth. This was the traditional finish before the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) decided last year to take its biennial races from 2021 to Cherbourg.

The Lonely Rock Race is planned to leave from Ryde on the Isle of Wight on 16 August. If, however, the race is not able to run, the RORC’S next Fastnet Race in 2021 would likely eclipse any attempt to bring the events head-to-head.

Chris Arscott, Royal Western YC commodore and race director of the Lonely Rock Race said: “While we are fully aware of the increasingly difficult and worrying times ahead with COVID-19, we feel it is important to have something to look forward to and we continue to plan for the Lonely Rock Race for now or in the future should this be necessary.”

The new event has popular backing from the many previous Fastnet Race crews and RORC members who objected strenuously to the new route finishing in France. Entering would also entail a less onerous commitment, as the RORC’S Fastnet Race requires competing yachts to qualify through previous RORC offshore races in the same season.

The Lonely Rock Race has some sponsorship in the form of an official clothing partner. Australian watersports brand Zhik has come on board with an overall trophy and prize.