Ted Turner at the helm, start of the 1999 Fastnet Race Photo by Jon Nash

Ted Turner at the helm, start of the 1999 Fastnet Race Photo by Jon Nash



There are a number of classic ocean races in the world. Among these are the Bermuda Race, the Sydney to Hobart and the Volvo Round the World Race. However there is one classic race which almost every sea going person wants to have done at least once, and that is "the Fastnet". It has been called the Grand National of ocean racing, and few would take issue with that description.

It all started when a number of hardy sailors got together in 1925, and decided to found and compete in, a good stretching race on the ocean. In August of that year, seven yachts sailed from the Isle of Wight, westward down the English coast for two hundred miles to Land's End, before hardening up to the right towards the outer tip of southern Ireland. There, after another 150 miles, a large and isolated piece of granite rises almost vertically from the sea some eight miles off the land at Cape Clear. It is the Fastnet Rock, on top of which stands a large lighthouse, built to last, to light the way for ships from the New World, and to warn them of the many dangers of this wonderful but craggy coast.

Rounding the Rock is an experience which is remembered by all who do the Race, when after the normal long and windy beat, the sheets can at last be cracked for the Isles of Scilly and that other great sentinel of the sea, the Bishop Rock. With 250 miles to go there is still everything to play for, and even after the Bishop the race can easily be won or lost on the tides outside the rocky outcrops of the Lizard or by the fluky winds in the last few miles to Plymouth breakwater and the finishing line. A good party is then fully justified.

The 600 nautical mile course of the Race has changed little over the years, but the speed and ability of the boats as well as their number has changed out of recognition. The winner among the original seven took six and a half days. Today some two hundred and fifty boats cross the starting line in Cowes, crewed by nearly two thousand people, young and old, male and female, all of whom are setting out on their personal adventure. Boats classes range in size from the 80 foot Maxis still striving towards a two day record, to family owned thirty two footers, well stocked for a longer haul. They come from everywhere to race, from Europe, the Americas, the East and the Southern hemisphere, in search of that unique sense of achievement which comes from having competed in the Race, with or without a prize. On the waterfront back home, nobody will take that away, and many will come back for more in two years time.

Out of the Race was born the Ocean Racing Club, and the Royal was added a few years later. Today the Club is one of the most international sporting bodies in the World, with members and events in many places. The Fastnet however, remains the big one. The Fastnet room in the London clubhouse is still the holy of holies, and a fine oil painting of the Rock hangs on the main staircase.

Moreover, completing the Rolex Fastnet Race or equivalent is still the sporting criterion for membership of the Club, and there are still some things in life which are unlikely to change.