La Hirondelle 73

 

Francois Gabart is first around 'the rock,' aboard his one hundred foot, foiling, ULTIM trimaran SVR. (Pictured making race preparations, in Concarneau, during May). Pipping arch rival, Armel Le Cleac'h, on Banque Pop, to the midway turning mark.

Which lends the Fastnet Race its name. Behind them, four hundred and forty five assorted IMOCA's, Class 40's and IRC club racers battle west, from the Cowes start line. The majority lying between Prawle Point and the Lizard. 

One hundred and twelve boats (a quarter of the fleet) have been forced to retire, into whatever port was available to leeward, by storm force headwinds overnight.

By the time the weather system reached Belle Ile, this morning, gusts were down from fifty to thirty knots; and the torrential rain reduced, to a penetrating mizzle. Sufficiently inclement to revise Stargazer's sailing plans for the day.

We remain in Le Palais, sheltered behind high stone harbour walls. An option which some of the Fastnet fleet took. Pausing, in Poole and Portland, whilst the wind and seas abated, before resuming racing.

Picture Credits:

Heavy weather at the start of the Rolex Fastnet 2023, from Hurst. Courtesy of  Trevor Pountain.