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ROLEX FASTNET RACE - Start 11.08.2013
http://fastnet.rorc.org/ - Übersicht
25 February 2013
RORC Increase Entries to Rolex Fastnet Race
Extra Capacity for Rolex Fastnet Race as Plymouth Yacht Haven selected as host port
RORC Increases number of entries to satisfy demand
With the entry limit of 300 filled within 24 hours, over 100 boats on the waiting
list and entries from multihulls, IMOCA 60s and Class 40s still coming in, demand
for places in this year's Rolex Fastnet Race have been greater than ever. To answer
this unprecedented demand the RORC has decided to increase the number of places
available for IRC rated boats by an extra 40 places, to 340.
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The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) increases number of entries to satisfy demand
- Credit: Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi
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The addition of multihulls, IMOCAs, Class 40s and Mini Transats could easily bring the total fleet to 380 boats
and to cope with this the club has decided to move the event to Plymouth Yacht Haven
which has the capacity to supply the extra berthing that is needed.
"With so much demand we had to find a solution and moving the event to Plymouth
Yacht Haven and working with Queen Anne's Battery, Sutton Harbour and Mayflower
marinas should give us the capacity we need to berth a fleet of this size and provide
the facilities expected by over 3000 sailors" says RORC CEO, Eddie Warden Owen.
Plymouth Yacht Haven has capacity for 450 berths, is accessible at all tides and
has comprehensive facilities to satisfy the requirements of the competitors, organisers
and sponsors. It will host the Rolex Fastnet Race Village where spectators can mingle
with sailing superstars and enjoy live music and a variety of activities.
In 2011 the RORC committee removed the "pro sailed boats" such as Volvo 70s, IMOCAs
and Class 40s from the 300 entries to release nearly 30 places for IRC rated boats
on the waiting list who are the only boats eligible to win the index trophy, the
Fastnet Challenge Cup
Commenting on the increase in fleet size RORC Commodore Mike Greville says: "The
300 limit has its origins in the inquiry following the 1979 race, but advancements
in all aspects of the sport including yacht design, boatbuilding, and navigation
equipment have dramatically improved its safety. The race also has a qualification
process to ensure that the crew have sufficient experience in the boat they are
racing before they are accepted as an entry. Following the unprecedented level of
interest in this year's event we have moved to reconsider the limit but, before
making any decision, we had to work out what was deliverable and this required us
to move the event to Plymouth Yacht Haven."
Starting from Cowes, Isle of Wight on 11th August, yachts will arrive in Plymouth
between 13th and 17th August at the end of what can be a very challenging offshore
race.
The biennial Rolex Fastnet Race is open to both monohull and multihull sailing yachts.
It has been an established fixture on the ocean racing circuit since 1925. The 608-nautical
mile race is a test of strategy and skill with crews encountering challenging tidal
currents and changeable weather. The fleet starts from the renowned Royal Yacht
Squadron off Cowes in the United Kingdom, races out of The Solent and westward down
the English Channel before crossing the often tempestuous Celtic Sea to the Fastnet
Rock, and then returning on a reciprocal course to the finish off Plymouth.
Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC):
The RORC was formed immediately following the completion of the first Fastnet Race
in 1925. Its brief was 'to encourage long-distance yacht racing and the design,
building and navigation in which speed and seaworthiness are combined.' The RORC
has been a pioneer in the sport, not only organizing offshore racing, but also
in developing standards of excellence, particularly in regard to safety issues.
It is at the forefront of race management and in the development and administration
of rating rules for racing yachts around the world.The principal clubhouse is in
St James's Place, London. With over 85 years of proud history, the RORC is a truly
international yacht club comprising approximately 3,300 members from 54 different
countries. http://www.rorc.org
RORC | 20 St James's Place | London | SW1A 1NN | United Kingdom
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