Rolex Fastnet 2013 Race

[Angele]

Looking at the final results, I am curious to know the reason for the penalties applied to the times of a couple of boats. The notes in the results refer to the Sailing Instructions, paragraph 25.1.3. But, since the Sailing Instructions is not a public document, I do not know what they did wrong.

The course details a number of "no go" areas (TSSs), so I am assuming these yachts infringed them. Does anyone know if that is the case?

The boats in question are "Mostly Harmless" and "Brightwork" - both in IRC 3. In each case the time penalty is 10 hours. Pretty harsh!

 

[Twister_Ken]

Search the internet for Jubilant Fastnet Campaign for our full story... and probably the best menu of any boat.... we enjoyed chocolate cheesecake (made on board whilst sailing) and roast dinners whilst racing... priceless.

I did it once on a big Swan normally in the Med/Carib charter business (it was back in the UK for a refit, the owners fancied doing the Race and asked a bunch of mates). The charter skipper and cook were still aboard. We ate our way around the course, with canapés frequently popping up between meal times to ward off the munchies. Also include, chilled Champagne on rounding the rock.

Bugga the Mars-Bars-on-the-windward-rail business, that's for mugs!

 

[savageseadog]

Looking at the final results, I am curious to know the reason for the penalties applied to the times of a couple of boats. The notes in the results refer to the Sailing Instructions, paragraph 25.1.3. But, since the Sailing Instructions is not a public document, I do not know what they did wrong.

The course details a number of "no go" areas (TSSs), so I am assuming these yachts infringed them. Does anyone know if that is the case?

The boats in question are "Mostly Harmless" and "Brightwork" - both in IRC 3. In each case the time penalty is 10 hours. Pretty harsh!

It was a ten hour penalty for pretty much any violation. The exclusion zones around the TSS's were a bloody nuisance, it was difficult in even reasonable conditions to ensure that you didn't stray into them. One of the results of the exclusion zones is that the one South of the Scilly isles forces you into a relatively narrow channel between the TSS and the rocks of the outer Scillies. The SI's were pretty ambiguous and badly worded in respect of what actual part of the Scillies we were supposed to be rounding. The word rock was used where the correct ones would have read drying rock. There was a possible interpretation that would have had us rounding outside all the exclusion zones.

 

[Angele]

It was a ten hour penalty for pretty much any violation. The exclusion zones around the TSS's were a bloody nuisance, it was difficult in even reasonable conditions to ensure that you didn't stray into them. One of the results of the exclusion zones is that the one South of the Scilly isles forces you into a relatively narrow channel between the TSS and the rocks of the outer Scillies. The SI's were pretty ambiguous and badly worded in respect of what actual part of the Scillies we were supposed to be rounding. The word rock was used where the correct ones would have read drying rock. There was a possible interpretation that would have had us rounding outside all the exclusion zones.

Thanks for that. Interesting to know. I noticed on YellowBrick, with the tracks turned on, that there were distinct "no go" boxes.

Sounds like you participated in this one. You weren't on Mostly Harmless or Brightwork were you?

Why do they keep the SIs so secret? Do you have to go through some initiation ceremony before you are allowed to view them, such as going to the loo without removing your foulies, being keel hauled, etc? Only yachting race open to anyone with the requisite experience, etc, that I know where the SIs are not available to other sailors who might be interested in taking part next time. What are they trying to hide/keep secret?

 

[savageseadog]

Thanks for that. Interesting to know. I noticed on YellowBrick, with the tracks turned on, that there were distinct "no go" boxes.

Sounds like you participated in this one. You weren't on Mostly Harmless or Brightwork were you?

Why do they keep the SIs so secret? Do you have to go through some initiation ceremony before you are allowed to view them, such as going to the loo without removing your foulies, being keel hauled, etc? Only yachting race open to anyone with the requisite experience, etc, that I know where the SIs are not available to other sailors who might be interested in taking part next time. What are they trying to hide/keep secret?

My boat was Diva, a Prima 38 in class 2 as I posted before. I agree, the stuff with the SI's was pretty silly. I was so busy sorting my boat out and doing an awful delivery from Liverpool just before the race that I never got the chance to study the SI's before the start. I was literally reading my way through it as I went round the course.

 

[Martin_J]

TSSs were classed as Obstructions for the purpose of the race. This was more definitive than allowing boats to cross TSS areas as per normal TSS rules. Race instructions for qualifying races were emailed out to all competitors... For the Fastnet race you had to collect a printed copy from RORC but you were only given this when all compliance requirements had been met.

 

[Martin_J]

The TSS areas that were to be avoided included the Casquets, the three around the Isles of Scilly and the one just to the south of the rock itself. It is becoming more common to have virtual marks in offshore races.