Rolex Fastnet Race 2011

Posted on : 21/08/2011

This year's Fastnet Race (2011) proved to be a record breaking event in a number of different ways.

The entry was at an all time high with 314 yachts in total. The event numbers were swelled by the decision to allow professional yachts to enter under their own class rules. As a result, the variety of yachts that entered was surely the most diverse in terms of shape, size, colour and speed in the event's history. This decision can only help to attract a good entry and following for the next event.

Thus, the 140 foot Maxi Trimaran 'Maxi Banque Populaire' was joined by three Volvo Open 70's and IMOCA 60's as well as the IRC classes ...

The fleet and weather was also able to pull out some fantastic sailing and various records were broken. Of most significance was that set by Maxi Banque Populaire. Completing the race in  just 1 day, 8 hours, and 48 minutes, the world's fastest racing trimaran established a new outright record for the Rolex Fastnet Race - some 7 hours and 39 minutes quicker than that of the best previous time set by a multihull.

A spectacular start with a west-going tide and a southwesterly breeze certainly attracted a crowd. The Skipper's Guide took the opportunity to take the camera down to this event and a small selection of the results are shown here with the remainder on our Flickr page.

The main trophy for the event was awarded to Niklas Zennström's Rán. A Judel-Vrolijk designed 72-footer which also won the Rolex Fastnet Race in 2009, making her the first back-to-back winner since Carina II in 1955/1957. Rán also won the Joe Powder Trophy for best corrected time at the Fastnet Rock, the Hong Kong Cup for first in IRC Zero, Erroll Bruce Cup for the first yacht home in IRC Zero.

More results and race information from the Fastnet Website.

Full race pictures on the Skipper's Guide FLICKR page .