The Norman Conqueror

With 43 boats now in, the party at Sutton Harbour has started in earnest. Last night the bar and restaurants were full of jubilant crews with tales of their Rolex Fastnet Race.

The stars of the show last night were Tanguy de Lamotte and his crew on Initiatives Saveurs – Novedia, who were delighted to be the first Class 40 home just before 4 am this morning. The French crew of three had beaten some top opposition, including Giovanni Soldini, the Italian skipper of the Class 40 yacht Telecom Italia and German, Boris Hermann's Class 40, Beluga Racing. Soldini and Hermann had an intense battle for second place; the two were virtually in sight of each other for the entire 608 mile course and at the end they crossed the line only nine minutes apart.

Tanguy de Lamotte won in the end by over an hour, looking tired but obviously elated, to have won the Rolex Fastnet Race for the Class 40s, the young naval architect from Honfleur in Normandy, France commented:

"Really there were two places that we got away from the rest, at Portland Bill we went offshore and got a small lead but at Land’s End, we also went offshore whilst Giovanni and Boris went inshore. The breeze came in from the west and we got it first to open up a lead. It was great when we rounded the Fastnet Rock with Oystercatcher XXVI, the Humphreys 42. We hoisted kites together and the match race really gave us a boost . Now we are looking forward to the Class 40 Worlds in Hamble next week."