Global armada primed for yacht racing's greatest epic as Fastnet turns 100
This milestone race offers a fascinating clash between sailing's fastest technology and amateur passion, with the fleet set to cover 695 nautical miles, rounding Fastnet Rock about 13 kilometres southwest of Cape Clear Island, off the southern coast of Ireland, and finishing in Cherbourg, France.
At the front, four giant 32-metre Ultim trimarans capable of 50 knots — more than 90 km/h -- will set the pace, led by last year's record-holder SVR-Lazartigue and an all-star crew of Frenchman Tom Laperche, Franck Cammas and New Zealander Peter Burling.
They face serious challenges from Actual Ultim 4, the in-form Maxi Banque Populaire XI, and Thomas Coville's Sodebo Ultim 3, all eager to better the benchmark time of 1 day, 8 hours, 38 minutes.
The IMOCA 60 class brings its own intrigue. Double Fastnet winner Charlie Dalin is absent, opening the door for rivals like Yoann Richomme on Paprec Arkea. This year, all eight IMOCAs feature female crew, and three have female skippers - an important milestone for the class.
The MOCRA multihull division is also at full strength, with 20 entries and a highlight battle between the MOD70s Argo and Zoulou. But the real backbone of the Fastnet is the diverse IRC fleet, where 385 monohulls of every shape and vintage race together under a common International Rating Certificate (IRC) rating rule handicap.
IRC Four, the slowest class, has nearly 100 boats - including family crews like Richard and Sophie Palmer on Jangada, and Turkey's First 35 Express, racing to inspire at home.
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Last year's monohull line honours - awarded to the first monohull to finish, regardless of handicap - went to MACIF IMOCA, skippered by Dalin in two days, seven hours, 16 minutes and 26 seconds.
The Fastnet Challenge Cup, for the best corrected time under IRC, was claimed by Caro, a Botin 52 skippered by Max Klink.
Whether chasing records, redemption, or just the satisfaction of rounding Fastnet Rock, this centenary fleet is ready to add another chapter to the history of offshore racing when the cannon fires in Cowes. REUTERS
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