The Rolex Commodores' Cup took on a different complexion both in terms of the racing and the weather. The offshore race set sail at 10.30 from the Royal Yacht Squadron line off Cowes, but rather than the welcome sunny 10-20 knot conditions of the past two days it was in three to five knots of southwesterly breeze under a grey sky. The start coincided with a building ebb tide to take the boats west out of the Solent.
Under the Rolex Commodores' Cup rules, the offshore race is aimed to be of 24-36 hours duration. The course for the three classes is mostly in Poole Bay and to the south of this, initially with 20 mile long legs out to marks in the English Channel. After this the boats must sail west and there is variation between the courses the three classes take: the big boats sailing two legs, Class 2 sailing two laps to St Alban's Head (a total of 173 miles) and the small boats in Class 3 sailing just once to St Alban's Head (a total of 137 miles). All classes finish at the North Head mark at the western entrance to the Solent.
The wind will be southerly over the course as the boats sail south out into the Channel, veering southwest as they sail in this direction down towards Portland. Tide is another major feature of racing offshore in the English Channel where getting a tidal gate right or wrong usually represents the difference between winning and losing.
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