Desert Star is Best Irish for Class Place as France's IMOCA 60 Apivia Demonstrates Success of Broad Thinking

9th August 2021

In the depleted Figaro III two-hands class (just three boats still racing) Dun Laoghaire’s Kenneth Rumball crewed by Gresystones' Pam Lee has regained the lead with RL sailing, putting in an impressive showing Credit: Rick Tomlinson/RORC

Fastnet Race Day 2 0830 - Irish Offshore Sailing’s school ship, the veteran Sunfast 37 Desert Star from Dun Laoghaire sailed by Ronan O’Siochru and Conor Totterdell, emerges this morning with the best current Irish class place in the Rolex Fastnet Race 2021 with fourth overall in IRC4 in a class of 70 boats. And after a rugged night slugging into mostly west-south-west winds with most of the fleet tacking along the northern side of the English Channel, France's Charlie Dalin in the highly-regarded Imoca 60 Apivia did some very successful thinking right outside the box - he led a small group of class companions and a handful of multi-hullos right across the Channel close west of the Cotentin Peninsula, and didn't go onto port tack until he was south of the Channel Islands, close towards the Brittany coast at St Malo.

It was a win move that gave him space to sail fast and free, and this morning when the leading mono-hull - the giant Swan 125 Skorpios - finally neared the Isles of Scilly after an arduous tacking regime along the English coast. Apivia was right there with her, though as there’s a slight veering of the win beyond Land’s End, the big boat is now lengthening away.

France's Charlie Dalin in the Imoca 60 Apivia Photo: Rick Tomlinson/Rolex

Skorpio’s other rival for the mono-hull line honours slot, George David’s Rambler 88, meanwhile went to the east of the TSS at Lands End, and is now clear of it and - for the time being - is able to lay the rock, though the veering winds may mean some tacking close to the Irish coast. Something experienced by the leading multihull Maxi Edmund de Rothschild, which rounded the Fastnet just before 08:00 hrs this morning.

The giant Swan 125 Skorpios Swan 125 Skorpios Photo: Carlo Borlenghi/Rolex

In the fleet generally, overnight overall IRC leader Pata Negra (Lombard 45, Andrew Hall, Pwllheli Sailing Club) seemed to go too far in towards Exmouth in West Bay in the night, and now she’s back in 5th in IRC1, and 15th overall, while Ireland’s Michael O’Donnell with the J/121 Darwoood is 7th in IRC1. In IR3 meanwhile, Alexis Loison in the JPK 10.80 Leon is putting in a trebly impressive performance - he’s currently off Plymouth, leading IRC 3, also leading IRC 2H (his crew is Guillaume Pioruelle), and he also lies 11th overall in a mainly big-boat race.

The leading multihull Maxi Edmund de Rothschild rounded the Fastnet just before 08:00 hrs this morning Photo: Schull Sailing

The Murphy family’s Grand Soleil 40 Nieulargo (Royal Cork YC) has never slipped out of the top ten in the largest class of all - 73 boats in IRC 3 - and she currently lies 6th, but has been finding temporarily lighter conditions after putting Start Point astern. And in the depleted Figaro III two-hands class (just three boats still racing), Dun Laoghaire’s Kenneth Rumball crewed by Greystones' Pam Lee has regained the lead with RL sailing, putting in an impressive showing as she’s working to windward close off Plymouth in the same broad group as Leon and Darkwood.

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About The Author

WM Nixon

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William M Nixon has been writing about sailing in Ireland for many years in print and online, and his work has appeared internationally in magazines and books. His own experience ranges from club sailing to international offshore events, and he has cruised extensively under sail, often in his own boats which have ranged in size from an 11ft dinghy to a 35ft cruiser-racer. He has also been involved in the administration of several sailing organisations.

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RORC Fastnet Race

This race is both a blue riband international yachting fixture and a biennial offshore pilgrimage that attracts crews from all walks of life:- from aspiring sailors to professional crews; all ages and all professions. Some are racing for charity, others for a personal challenge.

For the world's top professional sailors, it is a 'must-do' race. For some, it will be their first-ever race, and for others, something they have competed in for over 50 years! The race attracts the most diverse fleet of yachts, from beautiful classic yachts to some of the fastest racing machines on the planet – and everything in between.

The testing course passes eight famous landmarks along the route: The Needles, Portland Bill, Start Point, the Lizard, Land’s End, the Fastnet Rock, Bishop’s Rock off the Scillies and Plymouth breakwater (now Cherbourg for 2021 and 2023). After the start in Cowes, the fleet heads westward down The Solent, before exiting into the English Channel at Hurst Castle. The finish for 2021 is in Cherbourg via the Fastnet Rock, off the southern tip of Ireland.

The leg across the Celtic Sea to (and from) the Fastnet Rock is known to be unpredictable and challenging. The competitors are exposed to fast-moving Atlantic weather systems and the fleet often encounter tough conditions

Flawless decision-making, determination and total commitment are the essential requirements. Crews have to manage and anticipate the changing tidal and meteorological conditions imposed by the complex course

The symbol of the race is the Fastnet Rock, located off the southern coast of Ireland. Also known as the Teardrop of Ireland, the Rock marks an evocative turning point in the challenging race

Once sailors reach the Fastnet Rock, they are well over halfway to the finish in Cherbourg.

Fastnet Race - FAQs

When is the next Fastnet Race?

The 49th edition of the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race will start from the Royal Yacht Squadron line in Cowes, UK on Sunday 8th August 2021.

What's new about the 2021 Fastnet Race?

The next two editions of the race in 2021 and 2023 will finish in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin at the head of the Normandy peninsula, France

What will the fleet size be for the 2021 Fastnet Race?

Over 300. A record fleet is once again anticipated for the world's largest offshore yacht race.

Who races in the Fastnet Race?

The international fleet attracts both enthusiastic amateur, the seasoned offshore racer, as well as out-and-out professionals from all corners of the world.

What types of boats compete in the Fastnet Race?

Boats of all shapes, sizes and age take part in this historic race, from 9m-34m (30-110ft) – and everything in between.

What is the multihull Fastnet Race record?

The Fastnet Race multihull course record is: 1 day 4 hours 2 minutes and 26 seconds (2019, Ultim Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, Franck Cammas / Charles Caudrelier)

What is the monohull Fastnet Race record?

The Fastnet Race monohull course record is: 1 day, 18 hours, 39 minutes (2011, Volvo 70, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing).

Who won the 2019 Fastnet Race?

David and Peter Askew's American VO70 Wizard won the 2019 Rolex Fastnet Race, claiming the Fastnet Challenge Cup for 1st in IRC Overall.

How long has Rolex sponsored the Fastnet Race?

Rolex SA has been a longstanding sponsor of the race since 2001.

When was the first Fastnet Race held?

The first race was in 1925 with 7 boats. The Royal Ocean Racing Club was set up as a result.

What boat was the winner of the first Fastnet Race?

The winner of the first Fastnet Race was the former pilot cutter Jolie Brise, a boat that is still sailing today.

Was there an Irish entry in the first Fastnet Race?

Cork sailor Henry P F Donegan (1870-1940), who gave his total support for the Fastnet Race from its inception in 1925 and competed in the inaugural race in his 43ft cutter Gull from Cork.

Has Ireland every won the Fastnet Race?

Ireland has won the Fastnet Race twice. In 1987 the Dubois 40 Irish Independent won the Fastnet Race overall for the first time and then in 2007 – all of twenty years after Irish Independent’s win – Ireland secured the overall win again this time thanks to Ger O’Rourke’s Cookson 50 Chieftain from the Royal Western Yacht Club of Ireland in Kilrush.

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At A Glance – Fastnet Race