The Rolex Fastnet is a race steeped in history. First contested in 1925 and, except for a break during the 1940s, run biennially since the early 1930s, this year will mark the 42nd edition. A true bluewater ocean race, to compete in this race is a goal for many sailors whether for the first time, the fifth or the 20th time. RORC Race Office announced at the Race & Weather briefing that the Rolex Fastnet Race start would be postponed for 25 hours due to the continued severe weather warning issued by the UK Met office. The first start for the 300 boat fleet was Monday 13 August at 1100 BST. So, race crews had an extra day to prepare for the Rolex Fastnet Race start. For the first time in race history, RORC race organizers elected to postpone the start by 25 hours due to a severe weather warning from the UK Met Office, which would have put the bulk of the fleet in the middle of the Celtic Sea as a low pressure system approached, with no safe port to run to. Finally, 271 boats set off Monday 13 August from the Squadron line in Cowes for the start of 46th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race. It was a picture-perfect day with blue skies and puffy cumulus clouds, and little sign of the severe weather that is forecast ahead. The IMOCA 60 class was first off at 1100 BST, followed by six more classes as the 15 -18 knot breeze and a four knot ebb tide produced a short choppy sea. First out past the Needles was the IMOCA 60 fleet, with the Alex Thompson-skippered, Hugo Boss leading, followed by PRB and Cheminees Poujoulat. Three and a half hours after the start, Spanish skipper Guillermo Altadill and American co-skipper Jonathan McKee have officially announced their retirement from the Rolex Fastnet Race.Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Rolex Fastnet
The Rolex Fastnet is a race steeped in history. First contested in 1925 and, except for a break during the 1940s, run biennially since the early 1930s, this year will mark the 42nd edition. A true bluewater ocean race, to compete in this race is a goal for many sailors whether for the first time, the fifth or the 20th time. RORC Race Office announced at the Race & Weather briefing that the Rolex Fastnet Race start would be postponed for 25 hours due to the continued severe weather warning issued by the UK Met office. The first start for the 300 boat fleet was Monday 13 August at 1100 BST. So, race crews had an extra day to prepare for the Rolex Fastnet Race start. For the first time in race history, RORC race organizers elected to postpone the start by 25 hours due to a severe weather warning from the UK Met Office, which would have put the bulk of the fleet in the middle of the Celtic Sea as a low pressure system approached, with no safe port to run to. Finally, 271 boats set off Monday 13 August from the Squadron line in Cowes for the start of 46th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race. It was a picture-perfect day with blue skies and puffy cumulus clouds, and little sign of the severe weather that is forecast ahead. The IMOCA 60 class was first off at 1100 BST, followed by six more classes as the 15 -18 knot breeze and a four knot ebb tide produced a short choppy sea. First out past the Needles was the IMOCA 60 fleet, with the Alex Thompson-skippered, Hugo Boss leading, followed by PRB and Cheminees Poujoulat. Three and a half hours after the start, Spanish skipper Guillermo Altadill and American co-skipper Jonathan McKee have officially announced their retirement from the Rolex Fastnet Race.
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