Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2015 | Page 41

ON THE WATER

Cowes start for gruelling
Rolex Fastnet Race
C

Picture by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo

owes will again be the starting
point for this year’s Rolex Fastnet
Race, which takes place every two
years over a course of 608 nautical miles
or 1,126 kilometres.
A full entry limit of 340 boats is
anticipated for the race which begins off
Cowes on August 16. The competitors
then leave The Solent through The
Needles Channel, follow the southern
coastline of England westward down
the English Channel, before rounding
Land's End. After crossing the Celtic Sea,
the race rounds the Fastnet Rock off the
southwest coast of Ireland. Returning

on a largely reciprocal course, the race
rounds the Isles of Scilly before finishing
at Plymouth.
"This is a fantastic opportunity to help
our members participate in the club's
founding event in such a special year. In
the past it has been extremely hard to tell
a member of the club that unfortunately
they have been put on the Waiting List as
the race is full," said Nick Elliott, the Royal
Ocean Racing Club Racing Manager.
The Fastnet is a challenging race, often
provided with Westerlies that are strong
to gale force in strength. The succession
of low pressure systems which advance

Picture by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo

on the British Isles across the North
Atlantic Ocean provide a constantly
moving weather pattern for which Fastnet
navigators must plan.
These depressions are mostly centred
north of the English Channel. Knowledge
of where meteorological disturbances are
likely to occur, and how best to use them,
is the keynote to success in the race.
Coastal landmarks passed along the
route include The Needles, Portland Bill,
Start Point, The Lizard, Land's End, the
Fastnet Rock, Bishop's Rock off the Scillies
and Plymouth breakwater.

Picture by Rolex / Daniel Forster

www.visitilife.com

41