Enormous fleet ready for Fastnet
The Rolex Fastnet Race looks set to consolidate its position as the biggest offshore yacht race in the world this August, with over 450 yachts entered for this year’s 49th edition.
The 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race starts from Cowes on 8 August, returning to its usual dates of the Sunday following Cowes Week, but with a new finish port for 2021 of Cherbourg instead of Plymouth. The course change increases the length of the race from 608 to 695 miles, and will create some additional tactical and navigational challenges for crews, including the final hurdle of tackling the rapid tidal currents of the Alderney Race before the finish (see our expert advice on how to navigate this on page 86).
The change of finish port has been controversial, but was made as Cherbourg’s Port Chantereyne is better able to accommodate the race’s enormous fleet. French participation in the race has been hugely successful – French yachts won nine of the 10 classes in 2019, and overall IRC honours in three of the past four editions of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s biennial event.
The Fastnet race entry has almost doubled in size over the past two decades, jumping to the present tally of 453 from 388 just two years ago.
No other 600-mile classic offshore races come close to this level of participation.
The bulk of the fleet is made up of IRC yachts competing for individual class prizes as well as the overall winner’s trophy, the Fastnet Challenge Cup. Nearly a quarter of the fleet are racing double-handed, with 92 entered, up from 64 in 2019. They include Shirley Robertson, a two-time Olympic champion and Dee Caffari, the world’s most capped female round the world sailor, while Alexis Loison is back to defend his title in the class, sailing again with Jean-pierre Kelbert on the JPK 10.30 Léon.
Monohull line honours contenders are likely to include George David’s Rambler 88, the defending champion, and the brand new, foil-assisted Clubswan 125 Skorpios. There is also a strong showing of VO70S, VO65S and IMOCA 60s, many of the latter also racing double-handed. Four giant Ultim trimarans will also be competing for the first finish gun – the race record (set over the Cowes-plymouth course in the last race) went to the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild at 1d 4h 2m.
With travel restrictions between the UK and
France changing frequently (at the time of going to press, fully vaccinated British visitors arriving in France were not required to quarantine, but arrivals into the UK from France were), race organisers are preparing to flex the race start and finish arrangements, including allowing French teams to start from Cowes without touching land in the UK.
“We don’t know how long these restrictions will last, but we remain hopeful that they will have little impact on the race and how we are able to welcome the fleet in Cherbourg,” said Race Director, Chris Stone.
“Things are changing daily and we are working with our partners in Cherbourg-en-cotentin and government authorities to create the safest race we can; on and off the water. The team will continue to monitor the situation and advise on issues and alternative arrangements, if necessary.”
For the latest updates on the Covid-19 restrictions, and all race information, visit rolexfastnetrace.com
For expert advice on preparing for the race, navigation and tactical tips, and latest reports and videos see yachtingworld.com/fastnet