It takes 600 miles to make a true offshore, or so tradition dictates. The Royal Ocean Racing Club was formed in 1925 following the first-ever Fastnet race, with the objective: ‘to provide annually one ocean race not less than 600 miles in length’. All of the ‘blue riband’ races – the classic Rolex Sydney Hobart and Rolex Middle Sea Race, the Newport-Bermuda, the newer RORC Caribbean 600, and until this year, the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race – were contested over a course of around 600-630 miles.
When the classic offshores were conceived, those races took around a week to complete: Jolie Brise won the inaugural Fastnet Race in 1925 in 6d 14h. As yachts have got larger, and faster, the bulk of the fleet now finishes in three to four days. But 600 miles is still a distance that is sufficiently daunting for amateur crews, demands a proper watch system, and a day off to recover. Only the pro-level crew of the real ocean greyhounds – the Ultims, IMOCAs and supermaxis – consider it a short sprint.
When it was announced two years ago that the 2021 and 2023 editions of the Rolex Fastnet Race were to finish in Cherbourg, France, instead of Plymouth, in southwestern England, there was, understandably, controversy. Much of the focus was on the destination: the split from tradition, the opportunities for the fleet to gather in one place, the financial deals behind it. But for crews, the real impact of the move to Cherbourg is how it has altered the Fastnet racecourse itself: that classic 600-miler is now just shy of 700 miles.
This story is from the October 2021 edition of Yachting World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2021 edition of Yachting World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
EXTRAORDINARY BOATS: NIGEL SHARP ON THE YACHTING WORLD DIAMOND
The Yachting World Diamond is a Jack Holt design which continues to attract devotees who sail them on some extraordinary adventures - in Australia, 60 years after its conception
5 EXPERT TIPS: CHRIS BROOKS ON SAILING OFFSHORE IN BIG CONDITIONS
Sailing in the middle of the world's oceans gave Chris Brooks plenty of experience handling big weather conditions. He shares his knowledge here with Andy Rice.
NAVIGATION BRIEFING
Inaugurated in 2009, the RORC Caribbean 600 is a relatively recent addition to the calendar of 600-mile offshore yacht races, adding to the list of established bluewater classics like the Rolex Fastnet and Sydney Hobart races.
SPECIAL REPORT: MARK CHISNELL ON PROBLEM SOLVING AT SEA
On his new book, Knowledge 2.0, author Mark Chisnell - who has been published on a wide range of topics and is also a former professional sailor, navigator, and most recently a rules advisor for the British America's Cup challenge INEOS Britannia - offers a 'user's guide to knowledge'.
NIKKI HENDERSON
NO MATTER HOW TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED OUR SPORT GETS, IT'S THE HUMANS THAT MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
MATTHEW SHEAHAN
HURTLING AROUND THE OCEANS ALONE IN GARGANTUAN MULTIHULLS CAPABLE OF HUGE SPEEDS AND UNTHINKABLE CAPSIZES - REQUIRES A MENTAL LEAP
Ainslie steps down as SailGP driver
Sir Ben Ainslie, who is both CEO, skipper and co-helmsman of the British America's Cup team INEOS Britannia, and CEO and skipper of the SailGP entry.
Around the world in company
January 2024 saw two fleets of cruisers set off on a sociable circumnavigation, with the 13th edition of the World ARC departing Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia, meanwhile the Oyster World Rally fleet also began their world tour from Nelson's Dockyard, Antigua.
Ocean Globe Race skipper quits after false declaration
The third leg of the Ocean Globe Race, the Whitbread-era-style around the world race, is underway from Auckland, New Zealand to Punta del Este, Uruguay on a classic Southern Ocean leg. However, the skipper of race leaders Translated 9, the Swan 65 which won both Legs 1 and 2, has stepped down after breaching the race rules regarding sail repairs and making a false declaration.
Cruisers awarded
Kirsten Neuschäfer, the winner of the Golden Globe Race and the first woman ever to win a solo nonstop around the world ocean race, is among the skippers honoured in the Cruising Club of America's 2023 awards.