Cowes Brief

Cowes Luxury Yacht Charter & Superyacht News

J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race 2013 comes to a close

June 01, 2013

An amazing summer’s day, with bright sun as well as a moderate to fresh offshore wind provided the perfect conditions for the 1,459 boats, that participated in this year’s J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race.

ESPRESSO MARTINI, SJAMBOK, IRC Division 0 Photo by Patrick Eden

ESPRESSO MARTINI, SJAMBOK, IRC Division 0 Photo by Patrick Eden

The strongest winds were experienced early in the day, just after dawn, and sped Sir Ben Ainslie’s 45ft America’s Cup catamaran J.P. Morgan BAR around the Island at record breaking speed. He crossed the finish line of the 50-mile race just after 0800 this morning, slicing an impressive 16 minutes off the 12-year-old race record.

In the monohull fleet the biggest boat in the IRC classes, Mike Slade’s 100ft charter yacht ICAP Leopard, was not far behind. He crossed the finish line 40 minutes after Ainslie, shaving almost 10 minutes off the monohull race record he set in 2008.

Just 10 minutes later Phil Cotton’s diminutive Seacart 30 trimaran, Buzz, crossed the finish line. Cotton won the Grand Prix Multihull class, half an hour ahead of Ainslie on corrected time, showing just how successful amateur sailors can be in this race.

Sir Keith Mills’ TP52 5 West finished at 0935, but his team had an agonising wait until almost 1600 before he could be (provisionally) sure of securing overall victory in the IRC division. “It was a great race, although I didn’t expect to win as it’s usually a small boat like a Folkboat or Contessa 26 that gets it in the end,” Mills said afterwards.

“It was great for the team on board today,” Mills added. “They really enjoyed it and it was more special because most of us were at Bart’s [Andrew Simpson] funeral yesterday – we all thought it would be a fitting tribute to him if we had a good race today.”

Peter Bainbridge’s J/122 Sky Hunter ll, was announced as (provisional) winner the Silver Gilt Roman Bowl for the overall winner of the ISCRS classes. The second boat on corrected time in this fleet was the second-slowest rated boat in the entire race, Gavin Mann and Robert Lewis’ 39-year-old Fisher Freeward 25 motor sailer, Nexus. She finished shortly after 1600 and missed beating Sky Hunter ll by a mere 14 seconds.

Full results are posted on the race website and the prize giving, hosted by the Island Sailing Club, with trophies presented by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, will be held at 1200 noon tomorrow Sunday June 2. See rtir.me/results for the results listings.

J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race 2013: Ben Ainslie smashes 12-year-old race record

June 01, 2013

Ben Ainslie crossed the finish line of this year’s J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race at 0802:15, accompanied by a swarm of RIBs as well as Ian Roman’s photo helicopter, to break the 12-year-old race record. He completed the race in 2 hours 52 minutes 15 seconds, carving more than 16 minutes off Francis Joyon‘s 2001 time and taking the record time to less than three hours.

Ben and his team on J.P.Morgan BAR celebrate their fabulous record-breaking achievement right after crossing the line in today's J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race. Photo: Patrick Eden

Ben and his team on J.P.Morgan BAR celebrate their fabulous record-breaking achievement right after crossing the line in today's J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race. Photo: Patrick Eden

Second across the finish line was Mike Slade’s charter yacht ICAP Leopard. Having sailed the first half of the race in 1 hour 40 minutes the giant monohull looked to be well inside the record time of 3 hours 53 minutes she set in 2008. However, Leopard slowed in the second half of the race and it wasn’t clear that she would better the record time until she was a few minutes away from the finish. She finally crossed the line at 0843.50, shaving 9 minutes 45 seconds off her previous record.

Speaking while enjoying a glass of celebratory champagne, Slade said: “When we were rounding St Catherine’s Point we were concerned that the wind would start dying off Shanklin – but it stayed up all the way round the Island. We’re also looking forward to the handicap result – if it drops as forecast we could do well on handicap as well. It looks like it will be a good day for everyone – they will all get round and everyone’s going to have a great day.”

The back markers in the fleet of almost 1,500 boats are having a very different experience to the front-runners. Stephen Payne’s Moody 27 family cruiser Phantom of Cramond in ISCRS Division 8B, for instance, is enjoying a much more leisurely sail – at 0850 they were passing Yarmouth, just 9 miles from the start.

With the winds stronger than forecast so far, some damaged sails have been seen. Paralympic Gold medallist Helena Lucas, sailing with Campbell Field on the Elan 450 Squire Sanders, reported splitting a spinnaker in half between the Needles and St Catherine’s Point.

J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race 2013 to kick off tomorrow

May 31, 2013

The legendary J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race is set to start tomorrow, on June 1, 2013. The participants are unanimous in their excitement as they look forward to this year’s rounding of the Isle of Wight.

great turn out of media & guests for today's pre-race Press Conference. Photo: Patrick Eden

Great turn out of media & guests for today's pre-race Press Conference. Photo: Patrick Eden

At today’s packed pre-Race press conference at the Island Sailing Club in Cowes, there was a mix of guests interviewed on stage by MC Tracey ‘TC’ Clarke, ranging from Dame Ellen MacArthur to 90-year old competitor Ray Moxley and Emily Sarsfield, Britain’s Ski Cross Champion who is sailing for the first time! Here’s an overview with some of the highlights.

One of the more distinctive boats entered this year is Collective Spirit, a 30ft sportsboat built as an arts project for last year’s Cultural Olympiad out of hundreds of wooden objects donated by the public.

“This is the first race Collective Spirit has entered,” says Gregg Whelan of Lone Twin, creator of the project. “We’re really excited that she is doing the race – parts of more than 140 different boats were incorporated in her construction, including the Mary Rose, Victory and Ark Royal, as well as former Prime Minister Ted Heath’s Morning Cloud lll, which won the race three times.”

The Round the Island Race has always attracted sailors from different backgrounds and from across the generations – hence the ‘Race for All’ tag line and Twitter hashtag #raceforall. Ray Moxleywill be racing RA, a new 40ft catamaran of his own design. “This is a really exciting occasion,” he says, “the people you meet are a wonderful crowd and you make friends wherever you go. It’s a breeding ground for friendship, sharing and being nice to everyone.”

The formal press conference at lunchtime was sadly overshadowed by the funeral of Olympic and America’s Cup sailor Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson, a good friend and colleague of many of the professional sailors that will be racing tomorrow. Tracey led a tribute, during which the Island Sailing Club’s ensign also flew at half-mast.

Over the event’s eight years of sponsorship by J.P. Morgan Asset Management, more than £500,000 has been raised for charity. This year, J.P. Morgan’s 9th year of sponsorship, the official charity is once again the Ellen MacArthur CancerTrust.”This is a very special race and it’s extraordinary to be part of it,” says founder and Patron Dame Ellen MacArthur.

“It’s a great adventure and from the Trust’s perspective, for the young people to come back to us and sail around the Isle of Wight is a great experience that brings a huge amount to them. They are the most inspirational people you’ll ever meet.”

“We absolutely love the race” adds Jasper Berens, Head of UK at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. “It’s an amazing race to do, yet it’s achievable for anyone who’s never raced before. We will have 300 staff and clients racing on Beneteau 40.7s – they all want to win as much as Ben [Ainslie] or Alex [Thomson].”

As well as the many thousands of amateur sailors, the race is also one that attracts the top professionals in the sport. Alex Thomson took third place earlier this year in the gruelling Vendée Globe non-stop single-handed round the world race, will be skippering his Open 60 Hugo Boss.

“The Round the Island is a bit like the London Marathon,” Thompson says, “it allows amateurs to compete in exactly the same race as professional sailors. I’m feeling at least as nervous as before the start of the Vendée Globe Race. It’s really tough with 1,000 boats on the start line – my biggest goal is not to hit any other boats!”

While the forecast winds look too light for charter yacht ICAP Leopard to break the record she set five years ago, it looks more promising for Sir Ben, the most successful Olympic sailor ever, who will be racing his 45ft wingsail America’s Cup catamaran JP Morgan BAR. We will know more at 0545 tomorrow morning – that’s the time at which Ainslie needs to reach the Needles to match the initial speed of the current record holder, Francis Joyon’s Dexia Eure et Loire in 2001. There’s all to play for.

Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2013 to host strong international fleet of yachts

April 16, 2013

Cowes Week Limited (CWL) is pleased to announce that nearly 20% of the entries that have signed up for the 2013 Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week to date, are from overseas.

Australian sailing yacht Secret Mens Business - yacht with the longest journey to Cowes

Australian sailing yacht Secret Mens Business 3.5 - yacht with the longest journey to Cowes

It’s no coincidence that in “odd” years, when the Rolex Fastnet Race starts immediately after this historic regatta, international participation increases. However, this year boats have been much earlier submitting their entries and regatta organisers are pleased to be welcoming back familiar faces, as well as some exciting newcomers to the world’s best-known regatta.

The boat with the longest journey to Cowes is the Australian Secret Mens Business 3.5, which was winner of the 2010 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race. Owner and skipper, Geoff Boettcher has competed in a total of 23 Sydney to Hobart Races but has never raced in either Cowes Week or the Fastnet Race.

Commenting on their entry into the regatta, Geoff said: “The crew are ecstatic about taking part as both events have a reputation not only for great sailing but great onshore events too. The only time I have raced in Cowes was as crew on an Australian entry in the 1996 Etchells Worlds. I loved the place then and my ambition was to come back with my own yacht. I’m now fulfilling that ambition!”.

Geoff’s Australian crew consists of the team that have raced with him in the Sydney to Hobart and they’ll be joined by UK sailors Will Best & Andy Meiklejohn who Geoff believes will be great assets. For the last 17 years Geoff and his team have sailed most of the Australian regattas including Hamilton Island Race Week and Geelong Week and they’re now ready to venture out!

The Mini Maxi sailing yacht Bella Mente is travelling from the USA to take part in the special three-day Big Boat Series (Tuesday 6 – Thursday 8 August), and will face the Slovenian entry, superyacht Esimit Europa 2 (both of whom are racing in UK waters for the first time), the Spanish X612 Hansa, as well as regular Cowes Week competitor Niklas Zennström with his British Mini Maxi yacht Rán.

The country to have best representation so far, outside the UK, is the Netherlands, and a contingent of familiar faces from the country have confirmed their attendance at this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week with regulars Harry Heijst (with Winsome), Peter Vroon (with Tonnerre De Breskens 3), and Wouter Hermsen (with Luctor et Emergo II) once again taking their places on the start line on Saturday 3 August.

Commenting on how entries are shaping up for this year’s event, CEO Stuart Quarrie said: “We’re delighted to report a strong entry for this year’s regatta so far, and are really looking forward to an exciting regatta. We’re particularly pleased to be welcoming such an international fleet and so many new faces, many of whom will be taking part in Cowes Week prior to the start of the Fastnet”.

This year’s event takes place over the traditional dates of 3 – 10 August. Those yet to enter are reminded to do so before midnight on Monday 27 May in order to benefit from the discounted Early Bird entry fee. Discounts also apply to bookings made with the main accommodation agencies in Cowes and for vehicle ferry bookings made with Red Funnel prior to the end of April.

Rolex Fastnet Race 2013 to host record number of 380 yachts

April 12, 2013

The Rolex Fastnet Race represents one of sailing’s greatest contests. The 45th edition of Europe’s oldest offshore race will take place in August, with a gripping and punishing 608-nautical mile journey from Cowes, Isle of Wight to Plymouth via the Fastnet Rock, off the southern tip of Ireland. An amazing and record number of 380 yachts is expected to participate in the biennial race this year.

Spectacular Solent at the start of the 2011 Rolex Fastnet Race - Photo by Rolex Carlo Borlenghi

Spectacular Solent at the start of the 2011 Rolex Fastnet Race - Photo by Rolex /Carlo Borlenghi

In response to the immense demand and popularity of the event, the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) increased the limit for this year’s fleet after the entry list was filled within 24 hours of opening. Over twenty countries and territories from five continents will be represented, with crews comprising both fully professional and amateur.

The Rolex Fastnet is a genuine rite of passage for any sailor. Conditions can be harsh and are always changeable. The race is as notoriously difficult to finish, as it is to win. The competition is democratic: the handicap system applied to the main body of the fleet means the overall winner can spring from any size of yacht. Niklas Zennström’s 21.94m/72-foot British Mini Maxi sailing yacht Rán 2 is the defending champion and is seeking to make history by becoming the first boat to win the race three times in a row: an achievement that would border on the miraculous.

The Rolex Fastnet Race Fleet at the Solent - Photo by Rolex Carlo Borlenghi

The Rolex Fastnet Race Fleet at the Solent - Photo by Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi

Current race record holder, the Volvo Open 70 yacht Abu Dhabi from the United Arab Emirates, skippered by Ian Walker, will set out to defend her line honours title and to better the benchmark monohull time of 42 hours, 39 minutes she set in 2011. Abu Dhabi will be wary of her competition. Igor Simcic’s 30.48m/100-ft pan-European Maxi superyacht Esimit Europa 2, the undisputed fastest boat in the Mediterranean, is taking part for the first time. Mike Slade’s primarily British crewed 100-ft Maxi charter yacht ICAP Leopard, twice the event’s fastest finisher (2007, 2009), will be tough to beat given the right mix of conditions.

Rolex has sponsored the Rolex Fastnet Race since 2001 and recently extended its commitment until 2021. A dedicated Press Kit – available in various languages – explores the history of the event and previews the 2013 edition. A glimpse into the event’s iconic appeal is provided by an accompanying photo story.

2011 Rolex Fastnet Race Trophies - Photo by Rolex Carlo Borlenghi

2011 Rolex Fastnet Race Trophies - Photo by Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi

The race start from the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes is scheduled for Sunday 11 August, with the first warning signal at 10:50 BST.

Rolex Fastnet Race 2013: RORC Increase Entries

February 26, 2013

With the entry limit of 300 reached within 24 hours, more than 100 boats on the waiting list as well as entries from multihulls, IMOCA 60s and Class 40s still coming in, request for places in the upcoming Rolex Fastnet Race has been greater than ever. As a response on this unprecedented request, the RORC has decided to increase the number of places available for IRC rated boats by an extra 40 places, to 340.

The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) increases number of entries to satisfy demand - Credit: Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi

The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) increases number of entries to satisfy demand - Credit: Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi

The addition of multihulls, IMOCAs, Class 40s and Mini Transats could easily bring the total fleet to 380 boats and to cope with this the club has decided to move the event to Plymouth Yacht Haven which has the capacity to supply the extra berthing that is needed.

“With so much demand we had to find a solution and moving the event to Plymouth Yacht Haven and working with Queen Anne’s Battery, Sutton Harbour and Mayflower marinas should give us the capacity we need to berth a fleet of this size and provide the facilities expected by over 3000 sailors” says RORC CEO, Eddie Warden Owen.

Plymouth Yacht Haven has capacity for 450 berths, is accessible at all tides and has comprehensive facilities to satisfy the requirements of the competitors, organisers and sponsors. It will host the Rolex Fastnet Race Village where spectators can mingle with sailing superstars and enjoy live music and a variety of activities.

In 2011 the RORC committee removed the “pro sailed boats” such as Volvo 70s, IMOCAs and Class 40s from the 300 entries to release nearly 30 places for IRC rated boats on the waiting list who are the only boats eligible to win the main trophy, the Fastnet Challenge Cup

Commenting on the increase in fleet size RORC Commodore Mike Greville says: “The 300 limit has its origins in the inquiry following the 1979 race, but advancements in all aspects of the sport including yacht design, boatbuilding, and navigation equipment have dramatically improved its safety. The race also has a qualification process to ensure that the crew have sufficient experience in the boat they are racing before they are accepted as an entry. Following the unprecedented level of interest in this year’s event we have moved to reconsider the limit but, before making any decision, we had to work out what was deliverable and this required us to move the event to Plymouth Yacht Haven.”

Starting from Cowes, Isle of Wight on 11th August, yachts will arrive in Plymouth between 13th and 17th August at the end of what can be a very challenging offshore race.

Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2013: New Classes and Extra Cost Savings

February 04, 2013

Cowes Week Limited have revealed the Notice of Regatta for Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week. Set to be held on the traditional dates of 3 – 10 August, the event represents the world’s best-known sailing yacht regatta.

Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2013 to run from August 3 to 10 - Photo by R. Tomlinson

Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2013 to run from August 3 to 10 - Photo by R. Tomlinson

Entry fees have been maintained at 2012 levels with no increase, and event organisers have also introduced a range of welcome cost savings for early entrants. On-the-water highlights include the return of the Big Boat series, some new classes for popular one-design fleets and a brand new race format for cruiser racers on the final Saturday.

New race format for cruisers
Following feedback from many cruiser owners, a single day of fun and relaxed racing has been introduced on the final Saturday of the regatta (10 August) for boats rated under the Island Sailing Club Rating System (ISCRS). The day’s racing will cost just £30 and will take place over a relatively short course with a late morning start. The aim is to enable cruisers to experience the fun of Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week within a very simple race format. Any cruisers wanting more than one day of more relaxed racing with like-minded skippers can join the ISCRS class on whichever days during the Week are convenient to them.

SB20 Grand Slam
At the end of last year, CWL and Sportsboat World announced an exciting new Grand Slam event for the SB20 class which will form an integral part of Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week this year. Boats will compete in two races a day over the first four days of the regatta with traditional Cowes Week racing for the rest of the week.

New J/Boat classes
Two new J/Boat classes have been introduced to this year’s regatta. The rapidly growing J/70 fleet will have its own start this year and will follow a similar race format to the SB20s with two races a day for the first four days. There will also be a dedicated class for the increasing number of J/111s coming to Cowes, allowing these exciting 36ft performance boats to enjoy some close one-design racing during the Week.

Return of the Big Boats
The biggest and fastest boats arriving in Cowes to take part in the Rolex Fastnet Race will once again enjoy a special three-day series of racing from Tuesday 6 to Thursday 8 August. The ‘Big Boat Series’ is aimed at boats holding a valid IRC certificate with a TCC of more than 1.400 and with an LOA of between 18.2m and 30.5m. Boats outside these parameters may also be considered at the discretion of CWL. Racing is likely to include a race around the Island, a 40 mile passage race, and a race around the Solent marks.

Celebrating the Solent Sunbeams’ 90th Anniversary
90 years ago, the Solent Sunbeams made their debut at Cowes Week and have competed at the regatta ever since. The popularity of the Westmacott-designed Solent Sunbeam continues amongst discerning yachtsmen and women, and the fleet has grown steadily with the addition of six new GRP hulled boats in the last three years, racing on level terms with the original wooden ones. This year, the Class celebrates its successful history with a busy racing and regatta program in Chichester Harbour and around the Solent, and a mid-summer Anniversary Ball beside the Harbour for 300 past and present Sunbeamers.

Savings to be made!
There are also a number of incentives to encourage early entry to Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week:
- An early-bird discount applies to all entries received before Monday 27th May and there is once again no increase to entry fees.
- Discounts on berthing at Shepards Wharf Marina and East Cowes Marina for bookings made before Monday 27th May. In addition, Cowes Yacht Haven is offering a 10% discount to the first 25 boats registered to berth with them.
- A 10% discount for competitors on Red Funnel vehicle crossings from Southampton during the period 1 – 13 August (for bookings made before the end of April).
- A newly introduced discount with many of the property owners in Cowes for bookings taken before the end of April through the accommodation agencies of Quay Management, Regattalets, and A Base Ashore.
- In addition, as a new initiative for 2013 regular entrants to Cowes Week are able to earn a 20% discount on their entry fee, if they’re successful in attracting newcomers to the event. Terms and conditions apply.

Volvo Car UK – new Official Vehicle Partner to Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week until 2015

January 28, 2013

Cowes Week Limited (CWL) is pleased to report that Volvo Car UK is the new Official Vehicle Partner to Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week until 2015.

Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week (c) RickTomlinson

Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week (c) RickTomlinson

Volvo Car UK has been a key sponsor of British sailing since 1999, supporting everything from youth development at grass roots through to Britain’s top sailors at the pinnacle of the sport. Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week is an event that attracts sailors from across a wide spectrum of experience and abilities and so the partnering between the event and Volvo Car UK is fitting.

Volvo has enjoyed a relationship with CWL since 2009 as an Official Supplier to the event, but this new relationship represents an increased level of support for the world’s best-known sailing regatta.

Commenting on the announcement, Nikki Rooke, Head of Public Relations, Events and Sponsorship for Volvo Car UK said: “Volvo Car UK is pleased to become the Official Vehicle Partner to Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week for the next three years. Having supported the regatta since 2009 it was a natural progression in continuing the relationship. This year we are looking forward to taking our corporate and media guests out for an exclusive sailing experience with the Team Volvo sailors and will once again have a presence in Cowes Yacht Haven”.

Michelle Warner, Sales & Marketing Director for Cowes Week Limited added: “We’re really looking forward to building on the great relationship we already enjoy with Volvo and supporting them in the development of their plans for this year’s event”.

Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2013 takes place from 3 – 10 August and entries are possible via the event website.

An amazing campaigning summer for the 34m Royal Huisman superyacht UNFURLED

October 02, 2012

This year demonstrated to be an amazing campaigning summer for the 34m (112′) sailing yacht Unfurled. Launched by the prestigious builder Royal Huisman in 2000, Unfurled superyacht is a spectacular sloop, designed by renowned German Frers.

Frers designed 34m superyacht Unfurled by Royal Huisman

Frers designed 34m superyacht Unfurled by Royal Huisman

At the most competitively-contested Pendennis Cup yet, luxury yacht Unfurled took the gun for line honours in every single race. With the top podium place within her grasp, a navigational error in the last race forced Unfurled to sail a little futher than necessary. Still first home, she had to settle for an honourable Second Overall.

Luxury yacht Unfurled - front view

Luxury yacht Unfurled - front view

At the Cowes Superyacht Cup in July, Unfurled superyacht led the fleet on day one in challenging light air conditions, winning both Line Honours and First on corrected time. The continuing light airs increasingly favoured the ultra-lightweight inshore greyhounds over the next two days, but thanks to her relentless commitment, Unfurled was rewarded with Third Overall.

Sailing yacht Unfurled - view from above

Sailing yacht Unfurled - view from above

Great achievements and exceptionally consistent sailing from a well-honed crew!

Below is a gallery for the splendid charter yachts built by Royal Huisman.

Royal Huisman Charter Yacht Images

METEOR - From Above
METEOR - From Above
METEOR - Sailing
METEOR - Sailing
METEOR - Sailing 2
METEOR - Sailing 2
METEOR - Sailing Close Up
METEOR - Sailing Close Up
METEOR - layout
METEOR - layout
METEOR - Master Cabin
METEOR - Master Cabin
More: Royal Huisman Image Gallery

Rolex to support Fastnet Race until 2021

September 28, 2012

The Swiss watchmaker Rolex will support the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s blue riband event, the biennial 608-nautical mile Fastnet Race, for further five editions, until 2021. The highly successful collaboration started in 2001.

The magnificent Fastnet Rock captured during the 2011 Rolex Fastnet Race Credit: Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi

The magnificent Fastnet Rock captured during the 2011 Rolex Fastnet Race Credit: Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi

“We are delighted with the continuation of our association with Rolex,” said RORC Commodore Mike Greville. “Our relationship with Rolex is a true partnership and in the past 11 years, we have seen the Rolex Fastnet grow in international stature, strength and popularity. Together with Rolex, we look forward to further developing one of the toughest challenges in offshore yacht-racing for the benefit of the participants and spectators alike.”

A Sporting Institution Since 1925
The race has been a sporting institution since it was first held in 1925 and the title sponsorship of Rolex over the past six editions has raised the race’s profile even higher. In the previous two editions, the limit of 300 boats was reached within a few weeks of the entry process opening. Coping with burgeoning demand and ensuring the interests of all competitors are properly catered for have been priorities for both the Royal Ocean Racing Club and Rolex.

Dockside in Plymouth, Sutton Harbour Marina

Dockside in Plymouth, Sutton Harbour Marina- Photo credit: Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi

RORC has introduced a fully automated online entry and crew management system to simplify and speed up the formal registration in procedure. Classes such as the IMOCA 60s, VO 70′s and multihulls are treated separately from the main fleet to maximise room within the 300-place entry limit. At the finish in Plymouth, a purpose-built race village in the historic Barbican area, offers crews all the facilities required on completing a race of this nature, while helping expose the Rolex Fastnet race to a wider public audience. Satellite tracking of the entire fleet allows shore-based followers to stay informed at every stage of the race.

“Our ambition for future editions of the Rolex Fastnet is to continue to improve the experience in every way possible for competitors before and after the race, while leaving it to the weather and to chance to enhance the thrill of the competition itself,” said Commodore Greville. “We also aim to enhance reporting of the action so friends, family and the public have access to all the information they need and want, in the manner deserving of this great sporting occasion.”

The next Rolex Fastnet Race will start on Sunday, 11 August 2013 from the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes. Entries for the race open in January 2013.

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