Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2013 | Page 51

ON THE WATER

Biggest ever
start list for
Fastnet Race

The start line for the Rolex Fastnet Race
2013 is set to be the biggest ever with up
to 380 boats from around the world. The
race starts on Sunday August 11 from the
Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes. The 608
nautical mile (1,126 km) non-stop race will
take the fleet down past the Needles and
to Plymouth via the Fastnet Rock, off the
southern tip of Ireland, with the prize-giving
in Plymouth on August 16.
Leading the charge will be Fastnet
favourite, Niklas Zennström’s 72ft mini maxi
Rán 2, this year focusing on securing an
unprecedented third consecutive win in
IRC Overall and again lifting the Fastnet
Challenge Cup. He will be hoping to better
the record of Jolie Brise, the only yacht so
far ever to have won this prestigious trophy
three times, although not consecutively.
Celebrating her centenary, Jolie Brise,
the Pilot Cutter which famously won the
inaugural race, will be making a welcome
return to the start line, now sailed by a youth
squad from Dauntsey’s School.

Alex has juggled learning the theory
and technicalities behind sailing at
University and his practical training
and racing with the Academy and his
Figaro co-skipper Dyfrig Mon. Having
already competed in three Royal
Ocean Racing Club races this year,
Alex, Dyfrig and Artemis 43 currently
sit fourth on the series double-handed
leader board as they work towards
their title race of 2013, the 608-mile
Rolex Fastnet.

Drawing over 350 boats to the start
line, for the first time in the races
history it will include a Figaro class –
something not usually seen this side of
the Channel and a great step forward
for British short-handed offshore
racing.
Alex said: “I'd like to think Dyfrig
and I can do the Fastnet in around
four days. We have to put a lot of trust
into one another and it's quite mad
to think we had never met each other

before and from one person meeting
us both once they could tell we would
be a good team!” He added: “We do
work well together and I'm looking
forward to the Fastnet, although it is
quite daunting to be sailing 600-odd
miles on a 33ft boat, but I think we
are ready for the challenge!”
You can follow Alex as he prepares
for the first major milestone in his
short-handed offshore career at www.
artemisoffshoreacademy.com

Benzie showcase new range of Rolex watches
Benzie of Cowes, renowned worldwide for
their magnificent array of Rolex watches, have
recently created a new display area in their
shop to complement the class and quality of
the magnificent timepieces.
While nestling perfectly in the pre ֗6W2