Fastnet Races since 1979

Warbaby, winning yacht in 1979

Fastnet 1979
1979 will stick in everyone's memory as the year of the Fastnet tragedy when the biggest-ever fleet of 303 was caught in a vicious storm claiming the lives of 17 sailors. Following the disaster, New Special Regulations were introduced to improve watertight integrity, trisails and VHF radios became mandatory, qualifications for competing were introduced and the number of starters limited to 300. In 1983 restrictions on electronic aids were also lifted.

Separation from the Admiral's Cup in 1999
Since this time the legendary Fastnet race has gone from strength to strength with improved communications and safety regulations in force, the race is considered a supreme challenge to ocean racing yachtsmen in British waters. Since 1957 the Fastnet race has been the final race of the Admiral's Cup competition but in 1999, major innovations to the Admiral's Cup led the Management Committee to introduce a number of changes in the race programme. These included re-designing the event as a stand-alone series outside of Skandia Life Cowes Week, limiting the number of professionals on board each boat and incorporating the Wolf Rock Race as the principal offshore race.

Fastnet race open to all
The Fastnet race now retains its place in the racing calendar immediately after Skandia Life Cowes Week and is open to all but does not form part of the programme for the Admiral's Cup. The 1999 Fastnet attracted 213 yachts from over 9 countries to take part, including several world famous yachts and celebrities alike including Ellen MacArthur racing Kingfisher and Ted Turner's maxi Sayonara. New speed records were set, with the fastest 60ft multihull Fujicolor, reaching15.98 knots during the race. The winner of the Fastnet Challenge Cup, for Best Overall in BCT, IRC was Catherine Chabaud from France, racing the Open 60 Whirlpool-Europe 2. Chabaud took 5 days 22hrs and 59mins to complete the course. The weather saw light SW winds at first becoming calm during the starting sequence. During Sunday and Monday winds of up to 28 knots NE were recorded at the Fastnet Rock and some yachts sailed the entire course without tacking. Later, winds generally dropped and became variable or SE for many yachts on their return from the Rock. A large number in this group were forced to kedge off the Lizard for several hours before reaching Plymouth.

New Speed Records Set in Fastnet 1999
Fastest monohull without water ballast Boomerang 11.13 Knots
Fastest monohull with water ballast RF Yachting 11.48 knots
Fastest 60ft multihull Fujicolor 15.08 knots
Fastest Volvo 60 Illbruck 2 11.36 Knots
Fastest Open 60 Whirlpool-Europe 2 11.43 knots

Trophies
Apart from the prestigious Fastnet Challenge Cup and trophies in all the main categories including Fastnet Rounding Trophies. Special trophies are also awarded for navigator of best yacht overall, best sailing school yacht, best Irish yacht, oldest yacht to compete and first British yacht home to name a few. RORC Medallions are also awarded in each class.

Fastnet 2001
The 2001 Rolex Fastnet attracted 229 yachts from over 9 countries to take part, including several world famous yachts including Giovanni Agnelli’s Frers One-off Stealth and Ludde Ingvall’s Nicorette. The winner of the Fastnet Challenge Cup, for Best Overall in IRC was Piet Vroon from Holland, racing his Lutra 52, Tonnerre de Breskens. Piet took 3 days 02hrs 23mins and 31secs to complete the course, winning it for the first time in 20 attempts.

Starting conditions: 28 knots of wind
The excitement of the start was heightened by 28 knots of wind and square beating conditions. A decent breeze prevailed to enable some boats to stay offshore at Portland Bill. However, the fleet split and the front of the fleet experienced totally different weather patterns to the middle and back markers. For mid fleet boats a South Westerly breeze became a North Westerly at the Fastnet Rock to give them a fast reach home. The tail end of the fleet even experienced a South Easterly as they came inshore form the Lizard into Plymouth, meaning that some boats returned from the Rock on starboard gybe. Skip Sheldon’s Reichl/Pugh 65 Zaraffa claimed victory in IRC SZ, Piet Vroon’s Lutra 52, Tonnerre de Breskens won IRC Overall, IRC 0 and IRM. First in IRC 1 was Gery Trentesaux’s Courrier Nord, the Spanish yacht Calima claimed IRC 2 and the S & S Classic Clarionet won IRC 3. With France, Holland, Spain, USA, Great Britain and Ireland all collecting the “chocolates” the Fastnet remains one of the major offshore sailing events in the world.

Fastnet 2003
Starting on Sunday 10th August 2003 the 608 mile race is organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club with the Royal Yacht Squadron and the Royal Western Yacht Club, Plymouth.

Classes:
IRC (for yachts up to 30.5 metres/100ft LOA)
IRM
Open 60
Multihulls
2-Handed division
IMS, ORC (Club) - Classes will be offered if there are 15 or more entries