Facts & Stats

There is a comprehensive history of the great race on this web site; but here are some more facts about the Rolex Fastnet Race.

Q: Where in the world is approx. 600 miles from Cowes?

A: Aberdeen, Frankfurt, Geneva, La Rochelle and Plymouth via Fastnet Rock.

Are we there yet?

The race course for the Rolex Fastnet Race is 608 nautical miles along the rhumb line.

Cowes, Royal Yacht Squadron Start Line: 0 nm

Needles 16 nm
Portland Bill 50 nm
Start Point 104 nm

Lizard 164 nm

Lands End 186 nm<
Fastnet Rock 356 nm

Scillies 510 nm
Lizard 561 nm

Finish in Plymout after 608 nautical miles

It all adds up

There are 300 boats entered for the Rolex Fastnet, end to end they would stretch to over 13,000 ft (4000m) equivalent to the height of the Matterhorn mountain, overlooking Zermatt in Switzerland.

The beautiful game

The total sail area of the competing yachts is in the region of 200,000 sq.ft (18580m) enough to cover the pitch at Wembley Stadium, twice over.

Little and Large

Mike Slade's ICAP Leopard set a new monohull record in 2007: 1 day, 20 hours, and 18 mins at an average speed of 13.52 knots and the Maxi is back again this year. ICAP Leopard is the same overall length as Tony Todd's PY 100, Liara. Both of these magnificent yachts are 100 ft. (30m) in overall length, the largest yachts in this year's race.

The smallest yacht in the race is Wieslaw Krupski's Tango 30, Four Winds, from Poland at 30ft (9.5m)

United Nations

Entries have been drawn from near and far. The Rolex Fastnet continues to attract competitors from around the globe. This year yachts are competing from 15 different countries: France; Great Britain; Netherlands; Hong Kong; Australia; Ireland; Belgium; Spain; Chile; Poland; USA; Germany; Norway; Poland; Italy; Sweden; Austria.

Looking in

More than 25,000 unique visitors have visited the RORC Rolex Fastnet web site this week.

Armchair Admirals

2009 is the first time that a Virtual Fastnet Race has been introduced; so far over 13,000 virtual skippers have entered the race, more are expected to join in by 1200 on Sunday 9^th August. The start of the 43^rd Royal Ocean Racing Club flagship race.