Fastnet 2023

[Martin_J]

Our storm jib has a fixed length tack strop (and a set of sheets) permanently attached...

although for the Fastnet you are required to have a 'heavy weather jib' as well as a storm jib and a trysail.

 

[capnsensible]

How often do people practice with theirs, I wonder?

 

[Chiara’s slave]

That's proper windy. But not unmanageable. As long as nothing breaks or goes wrong.

We were watching from Fort Victoria. Somebody appeared to pull the clew out of their jib, but apart from that, the only drama was a kiteboarder getting in the way.

 

[kof]

Interesting report of RNLI activity with the Fastnet.

Good old Imp still going. Recently restored in Cok.

 

[jlavery]

How often do people practice with theirs, I wonder?

Well, I'm planning to dig mine out when I'm back at the boat! Not that I'm planning to be out in conditions which need it - and I'm now lucky enough to have the time to wait for weather windows.

However, need to make sure it all works!

 

[Cariadco]

Loads of vids on Youtube, showing start line for all Classes, and plenty of other vids. just type in Fastnet 2023.

 

[dunedin]

Interesting report of RNLI activity with the Fastnet.

The third one is the scary one ….
“The casualty was on board a yacht taking part in the Fastnet race. They had suffered a head injury, had been knocked overboard and then dragged through the water by their lifeline until the yacht's crew could get them onboard. The casualty was slipping in and out of consciousness and required immediate medical assistance.”

Hope he/she is OK. Scary after the two MOB deaths on cross channel races earlier this year.

 

[jlavery]

Think there's definitely a discussion which needs to be had (already mentioned here?) as to why they couldn't postpone 24 hours. Would have avoided the worst of it. Logistically no problem for the competitors! Maybe marinas would have a problem

 

[Bobc]

That's proper windy. But not unmanageable. As long as nothing breaks or goes wrong.

Famous last words.

 

[steve350]

Think there's definitely a discussion which needs to be had (already mentioned here?) as to why they couldn't postpone 24 hours. Would have avoided the worst of it. Logistically no problem for the competitors! Maybe marinas would have a problem

RNLI were involved in multiple incidents, some involving injured crew, one vessel sank. Deliberately setting out into poor conditions, that were long forecast, and then expecting the RNLI (volunteers) to rescue you when it goes tits up has to be viewed as poor seamanship.

 

[flaming]

The Sunfast 3600s aren’t having a great race… 2 dismasted and 1 sunk…

 

[michael_w]

Watching the video, boats with a balanced sail plan seemed to be making better progress than those with a storm jib and a big main or the others with a titchy main and a #3.

 

[TwoFish]

RNLI were involved in multiple incidents, some involving injured crew, one vessel sank. Deliberately setting out into poor conditions, that were long forecast, and then expecting the RNLI (volunteers) to rescue you when it goes tits up has to be viewed as poor seamanship.

Really? So roughly 3000 of the world's best racing sailors (+ the race organisers?) are guilty of poor seamanship, because they didn't think the race should be posponed until they had near risk-free-conditions? And they 'expected' the RNLI to rescue them?

I wear the yellow welly, albeit not in the Solent / on the South Coast. I didn't watch the start of yesterday's race thinking "what poor seamanship", I looked on with a sense of excitement, admiration and respect for the sailors. I'd just come away from chat with one of the local RNLI crew who had been recommending best spots to watch from. I'd suggest that most RNLI volunteers love the water and understand that 'a life lived' will involve sailors going out in less-than-placid conditions; and perhaps are motivated to sign up partly because they empathise with those who do. I know that's part of what motivates me.

I prefer a world where we have folk who will race around Fastnet in a gale to a world where folk lie on the sofa, watching Eastenders and then rattle away on their keyboards to slag of those who get out and do stuff.

A huge well done to the all the RNLI volunteers and staff who helped others out this weekend. As ever, you make the rest of us proud.

 

[dunedin]

RNLI were involved in multiple incidents, some involving injured crew, one vessel sank. Deliberately setting out into poor conditions, that were long forecast, and then expecting the RNLI (volunteers) to rescue you when it goes tits up has to be viewed as poor seamanship.

Presumably the Round the Island Race should be postponed most years, as there seems to be more RNLI rescues for the RTIR than the Fastnet’s.
This is supposed to be our toughest Ocean race, and all crews need to have done qualification mileage and have properly equipped boats. if the forecast had been F9/F10 then postponement might be an option.
But if you postpone offshore races when winds above F6 then the racing boats will be forced to be built lighter and less strongly to be competitive in the weather the races will be started in. That would not be a good outcome.

 

[dunedin]

The Ultim Banque Populair fair old “banged a corner” early on, heading almost into Cherbourg before tacking West. Doesn’t seem to have worked for them

And now BP seems to be banging the opposite corner on the way back - taking the long way round the North side of the TSS whilst SVR takes the more direct route to the South. Perhaps a final desperate attempt by BP to salvage line honours by splitting routes, but they have a long way to catch up.

 

[steve350]

Really? So roughly 3000 of the world's best racing sailors (+ the race organisers?) are guilty of poor seamanship,
I prefer a world where we have folk who will race around Fastnet in a gale to a world where folk lie on the sofa, watching Eastenders and then rattle away on their keyboards to slag of those who get out and do stuff.
A huge well done to the all the RNLI volunteers and staff who helped others out this weekend. As ever, you make the rest of us proud.

Yes. Really. The RNLI was not conceived to provide race safety boats for recreational sailors however proficient they consider themselves.
Racing to the Fastnet in 50 knots of wind is perhaps undertaken more readily in the knowledge that an RNLI volunteer will put themselves in peril to effect a rescue. RNLI were deployed from Yarmouth, Swanage and Weymouth while 3000 of the world's finest racing sailors enjoyed their sport.

 

[dunedin]

This lad seems to be in second place, already past the Scillies - is he really singlehanded, on such a monster boat, with so much traffic around?

No fully crewed. The smallest crews are the double handed boats, AFAIK.

But these huge Ultimas have indeed been sailed round the world solo, so perhaps an out of date name still listed on Marine Traffic. Need to be nearby to see the name actually being broadcast on AIS during the race.

 

[Just_sayin']

Perhaps all yacht races in the future should be called The Force 5 Challenge with immediate cancellation should the wind exceed that value.

True or apparent? Hmmm.

 

[TwoFish]

The RNLI was not conceived to provide race safety boats for recreational sailors however proficient they consider themselves

No indeed. It was 1824. Neither was the Institution conceived to aid downed aircraft, people with mental health issues, kids on inflatable plastic unicorns etc. It's evolved as what's needed to save lives at sea has changed.

Racing to the Fastnet in 50 knots of wind is perhaps undertaken more readily in the knowledge that an RNLI volunteer will put themselves in peril to affect a rescue.

Perhaps fair, though offshore racers will also (for example) put themselves into the Southern Ocean, well beyond the reach of most rescue services.

RNLI were deployed from Yarmouth, Swanage and Weymouth while 3000 of the world's finest racing sailors enjoyed their sport.

I know. I've been following the news and the communications from some of the stations involved; for example, Swanage (I doff my cap). I also appreciate your concern and support for those who have put themselves at risk in order to help others. I just don't agree with your contention that the ethos, courage and kindness of RNLI volunteers should be used as an argument for keeping sailors ashore when it's windy. We'll probably have to differ on that one.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

So SVR have crossed the finish line, probably an hour ahead of BP.

If it were called off at F6 apparent, the poor trimarans could never compete. We get 22-23 apparent in 15 knots of breeze, they must get 30 plus.