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Displaying items by tag: Twiggy

#COBH CRUISE CALL – The sleek profile of Seabourn Sojourn, the cruiseship whose godmother is Twiggy, the English fashion icon and actress, called at Cobh Cruise Terminal this morning, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The ultra-luxurious vessel is the second of a pair of 32,000 tonnes sisters built for Seabourn Cruises by Italian shipyard T. Marrioti in Genoa. She was launched into the Ligurian Sea in 2010 and unusually for a cruiseship she has twin funnels that skilfully merge into the superstructure's appearance.

In the same year the 197m vessel made a promotional visit to London where she was christened by Twiggy at a ceremony held on the Thames.

Seabourn Cruises operate in the top end of the cruise market and have won prestigious travel awards over the years. Likewise to competitor Silverseas Cruise whose Silver Whisper is visiting Killybegs today having made a port of call to Foynes yesterday.

The 450 guest capacity Seabourn Sejourn is also in the same league with her rivals in that she only has suites in terms of accommodation type, where within there is a choice of six categories.

She has 225 ocean view suites measuring 295 to 1,682 sq ft, 90% with private verandas. This includes five Owner's Suites measuring up to 1,062 sq ft (including the veranda) and four two-bedroom Grand Suites with up to 1,682 sq ft of private living space.

In addition there are 22 Penthouse Suites on the uppermost decks, each featuring up to 534 sq ft feet of space. To browse a virtual tour of these very spacious suites on Deck 11 click HERE.

As for facilities she sports the largest spa on any ultra-luxury ship, at 11,400 sq ft encompassing an indoor and outdoor space laid out over two decks. There are also six whirlpools and two swimming pools, including the pool patio, with a pair of large whirlpool spas and a "beach" style pool, a casual patio grill and the patio bar.

On the sun deck above sits Seabourn's popular open-air Sky Bar located high atop on deck 11 is a Sun Terrace with 36 tiered double sun beds. Just aft of that is The Retreat, with shuffleboard courts and a nine-hole putting green.

The panoramic Observation Bar on Deck 10 offers 270 degree forward views over the sea. There is the Club for dancing and the larger Grand Salon is also used for dancing as well as lectures, production vocal shows, cabaret performances and classical recitals.

Other facilities can be viewed through the virtual tour HERE

Published in Cruise Liners

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

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.

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

©Afloat 2020

Fastnet Race 2023 Date

The 2023 50th Rolex Fastnet Race will start on Saturday, 22nd July 2023

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At A Glance – Fastnet Race

  • The world's largest offshore yacht race
  • The biennial race is 695 nautical miles - Cowes, Fastnet Rock, Cherbourg
  • A fleet of over 400 yachts regularly will take part
  • The international fleet is made up of over 26 countries
  • Multihull course record: 1 day, 8 hours, 48 minutes (2011, Banque Populaire V)
  • Monohull course record: 1 day, 18 hours, 39 minutes (2011, Volvo 70, Abu Dhabi)
  • Largest IRC Rated boat is the 100ft (30.48m) Scallywag 100 (HKG)
  • Some of the Smallest boats in the fleet are 30 footers
  • Rolex SA has been a longstanding sponsor of the race since 2001
  • The first race was in 1925 with 7 boats. The Royal Ocean Racing Club was set up as a result.

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