Rolex Fastnet 2013 Race

[Angele]

For some reason one of them, Prince de Bretagne, appears to be heading at 18 knots due South. Retiring? Trying to give the others a chance?

Probably just realised that the charter period runs up today and the boat has to be back in Brest by 16:00.

Either that, or they are "doing a Moitessier" and have decided to abandon the race course and do their own thing:

My intention is to continue the voyage, still nonstop, toward the Pacific Islands, where there is plenty of sun and more peace than in Europe. Please do not think I am trying to break a record. 'Record' is a very stupid word at sea. I am continuing nonstop because I am happy at sea, and perhaps because I want to save my soul

 

[Talulah]

It wasn't just a failure, the winch left the boat leaving a "gaping hole"

The boat is a Farr 52.
Here is footage of a Farr 52 in the 2011 Fastnet Race.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P54aoWs7_Y
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFD-a6uHE9w

 

[James Marinero]

Yes, have been following Yellowbrick avidly, but now the bigf multis have dropped out of range. WTF! That's a real irritation, presumably they will come back into range near the rock.

 

[RadiumRob]

Close Encounter

Spindrift 2 passed about 10m upwind of us just west of Anvil Point as we were beating towards Portland. Close enough to hear the rig humming and catch the waves from a very cheerful crew.

It was an awesome encounter and an amazing piece of luck - a minute or so later leaving Poole Quay and our paths might not have crossed.

I was so enthralled that I forgot I had my iPad on board and could have shot some great video.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

I have been thinking that it would be good to do a "Follow the Fastnet Cruise". I would love to do the race but the qualifying races take up so much time and money, and the mandatory kit on board doesnt come cheap.

But on a well found cruising yacht it would be good to set off at the same time, or even the previous day, and be with the fleet . Any sign of foul weather, head for port, or if becalmed start the donkey to catch up and put some juice back in the batteries.

2015 Anyone ?

 

[Talulah]

I would suggest a slight variation.
You could do a "Follow the Fastnet Cruise" until you round the Fastnet Rock. Then finish in Kinsale. You can spend the next week having a jolly splendid holiday along the Southern Irish Coast knowing that Plymouth will shortly be a chock a block.

 

[macd]

You do a "Follow the Fastnet Cruise" until you round the Fastnet Rock. Then finish in Kinsale. You can spend the next week having a jolly splendid holiday along the Southern Irish Coast knowing that Plymouth will shortly be a chock a block.

Great idea, but I'd drop off in Baltimore first.

 

[Blueboatman]

Duet @101 years young is doing it in stately style from the tracker...Just bad luck they won't get a favourable slant that lets the big gaff rig power up just yet..

 

[Giblets]

You could do a "Follow the Fastnet Cruise" until you round the Fastnet Rock. Then finish in Kinsale. You can spend the next week having a jolly splendid holiday along the Southern Irish Coast knowing that Plymouth will shortly be a chock a block.

What an excellent idea. I might even manage to get S-I-L to organise some "hospitality" at the Royal Cork YC in Crosshaven.

 

[Woodlouse]

Spindrift 2 already halfway back across the Irish sea. Looks like they're going to be in Plymouth before midnight. I'm amazed the MOD70's are keeping up. I know they're also fast boats, but they're only half the size.

 

[Fire99]

Sorry to hear about TITW.. They sound truly courageous lads. Hope they have another crack in a couple of years.

Spindrift 2 is without a doubt a monster of a racing boat. Enormous in every way and capable of 40+kts in the right conditions (with youtube evidence) My only slight concern is where do you go after Spindrift? a 200ft one?

 

[Windy Tonique]

It wasn't just a failure, the winch left the boat leaving a "gaping hole"

From their blog:

The shortest Fastnet i have ever done...

We had been as prepared as we could be. The start was a great start for us with lots of pace crossing the line, a small incident with a Volvo 70 saw him completing penalty turns. Then we were swept up Cowes Rhodes with the tide, although a dwarf in comparison we were competing with the top boats in the class.

A stunning upwind beat saw being posted as 2nd in Class on the tracker with the guys all looking nervous with their heads out of the boat hiking hard for that extra 5% of boat speed to reel in our rivals. The race was on, finally they were given the opportunity to show everyone what they were worthy of, legs or no legs!

It was due North of the needles where disaster struck. The port primary winch pulled itself from the boat taking with it the internal fixings for the grinders for the winches. There was a quick evaluation of the situation as the headsail was lowered by the crew in a smart military like fashion but then reality struck. The damage was so great that there was no way that we could carry on.

The winch left a gaping hole not only in the hull but in the stomachs of the boys who had achieved so much through the adversity of rehabilitation post-conflict / injury and qualifying through the RORC races that they could even consider being on the start line of such a prestigious race only for that chance to be taken away so easily. As one of the boys said whilst removing his prosthetic limb on the trip back "lets face it you've only got to look at us and you can see were not the luckiest guys in the world!"

I beg to differ. I have had a great time with these injured servicemen through the qualifying races and the preparation period and, except for the pirate jokes, I have to say I was very lucky to share their journey. We will see you again in 2 years on the start line of the Fastnet 2015!

Lloyd hamilton, Skipper

Toe in the Water - Team Endeavour

Sent from my iPad

Absolutely amazing Team Endeavor- you did great xxx

 

[Woodlouse]

So the first monohulls are just rounding the rock. The first multihulls are just nearing the finishing line. Spindrift 2 will be done any minute now.

I really wouldn't want to be on Duet now. Imagine being stuck off Start Point knowing that boats are already finishing.

 

[TQA]

There is a report on the BBC that Maitre Coq and a motorboat Bit by Bit were involved in a collision with three crew from Maitre Coq and one from Bit by Bit finishing up in the water. More here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-23663112.

Photo boat getting too close maybe?

 

[Giblets]

I really wouldn't want to be on Duet now. Imagine being stuck off Start Point knowing that boats are already finishing.

I am also feeling very sorry for Duet. Looks like the tide has turned and the wind dropped now as she is going backwards.

 

[Fire99]

I am also feeling very sorry for Duet. Looks like the tide has turned and the wind dropped now as she is going backwards.

Current pace appears to be 0.8kts. This is going to be a real voyage for these guys. That said, a very beautiful boat.

 

[Blueboatman]

She has some great crew on board though.

For the craic! A Donf! An' all that

 

[Keen_Ed]

Current pace appears to be 0.8kts. This is going to be a real voyage for these guys. That said, a very beautiful boat.

Would think that once they saw the forecast, they would have known exactly what they were letting themselves in for. Probably having a lovely time - decent food, daily tot, sing-songs the whole way?

 

[Twister_Ken]

Saw one of the Toe in the Water boats moored in Haslar Creek last year, without mast. Someone had crossed through 'Toe' and magic-markered 'Rig'. No sense of humour failure there.

 

[macd]

Eat your hearts out, multis. Caro is currently charging along at 42knots.
Mind you, she is on the A31, having retired for receiving outside assistance. I suppose a lorry would qualify as that.