The Flying Fifteen class have been offered a start in the annual Fastnet Race which opens the Calves Week sailing festival in West Cork on Tuesday 8 August.

It will mark a first for the 20-foot one-design keelboat class that is normally found sailing over inshore triangular courses than coastal races.

A course from Schull Harbour to the Fastnet Rock and back again is around 35km and in normal conditions is likely to take between three and four hours to complete. The Racing Rules of Sailing apply and the race’s organising authority is the Dun Laoghaire Flying Fifteen fleet.

The National Yacht Club says a Rapid Raider RIB will be attending the fleet during the race and the Dun Laoghaire Flying Fifteen fleet will award prizes to the first, second and third finishers.

In addition the fleet intends, conditions permitting, to run a second race on the following day, Wednesday 9 August. RRS applies and the organising authority is the DLFFF.

To enter the race, complete the form on the NYC website HERE.