Fastnet Race

The Fastnet Race (English Fastnet Race ) is a famous sailing regatta for ocean-going yachts in the English Channel off the British and in the Atlantic off the coast of Ireland. It is one of the classic offshore races and is discharged ( odd years ) in the two- year cycle. Today, the regatta is named Rolex Fastnet Race, one of the main prizes is the Fastnet Challenge Cup. By 1999, the Fastnet race was the final race of the Admiral's Cup.

The long race over 608 nautical miles starts from the Solent Cowes ( Isle of Wight ), circled the Fastnet Rock off the southwest coast of Ireland and then comes south of the Isles of Scilly at the tip of Cornwall back in the port city of Plymouth. The race goes over several days and is equally notorious for downturns and extreme weather conditions. Many boats are havariert in the history of the race.

In 1979, the Fastnet race ended tragically when the regatta field got into a very late predicted hurricane. In the area of ​​Labadie sandbar capsized many boats. 15 participants and 4 rescuer drowned. As a result, safety rules were tightened and limited the number of participants. In particular, the recommendation has been clarified by the skipper, only to abandon the ship and climb a life raft when the ship is already clearly falls or unquenchable fire. Because of the 24 discontinued during the race in 1979 yachts are only the five actually decreased, while teams are drowned in the life rafts. Even a badly damaged yacht can be more secure than a life raft. The Fastnet Race 1979 is the largest disaster of yachting.

The 2005 race ( on Sunday started the 7th August) was sponsored by Rolex and the Royal Ocean Racing Club organized ( RORC ) together with the Royal Yacht Squadron and the Royal Western Yacht Club of Plymouth.

The start of the race in 2007 was postponed due to the weather to 25 hours. It was the first launch delay in the race's history. Squalls and heavy seas led to numerous damages and to give up the race for 207 of the 271 ships launched. Mike Slade's Icap Leopard 3 (constructed in 2007 ) presented under these conditions at 44 hours and 18 minutes set a new course record. Calculated winner was Ger O'Rourke with Chieftain.