Rolex Fastnet Race – 50th Edition
'I can safely say this was the toughest most challenging and emotional 5 days I have endured'
Steph Watts, Boracic Sailing Team
The iconic biennial offshore race celebrated its 50th edition in 2023 and it truly tested both skippers and yachts who navigated blustery 30-40 knots of wind and a tough sea state. The 700nm race is famously named after the Fastnet Rock off Southern Ireland, which the course rounds. Setting off from Cowes, Isle of Wight the route heads to Cherbourg by cutting across The Celtic Sea. The Fastnet Race is known worldwide for its tactical challenges and a strong test of endurance and navigational skill, it's most certainly not for the faint-hearted!
Steph, our Office Administrator took part in the race with Boracic Sailing and describes her nerves firsthand as their journey began:
'The start of the race, knowing what we were about to face was daunting and slightly scary. With boats all around us turning around at Hurst and heading back down the solent it was difficult to look ahead into a dark grey sky, big waves and more wind than I’ve ever experienced on a boat and not feel a twist in my stomach just hoping that we made it through the needles in one piece.After 12 hours of smashing into waves, loosing a sail and a deck fitting, nearly a spinnaker pole and almost my sanity the sea state calmed down and the wind began to ease off at around 0300'
The first 24 hours of the race saw numerous retirements with several boats being dismasted, some even sank. The coastguard reported several injuries and many others seeking refuge from the gale force conditions of the English Channel.
The Boracic team made it through and continued to push hard. The second leg heading to Lands End settled with slightly calmer waters giving the crew space to breathe and regain their bearings. It didn't last for long, with another front picking up around the Scilly Isles bringing in winds of 30+ knots and big rolling seas, the crew battered their way up towards the Fastnet Rock. Calmer waters returned halfway across the Celtic Sea offering an opportunity to dry out and regain composure.
Sadly the crew passed the famous Fastnet Rock in the late hours of the day in pitch black darkness, followed by huge rolling waves as they reached down towards the Scilly Isles. As they headed downwind, they reached a new top speed of 18.8 knots bringing some thrilling sailing over the rolling waves. When night fell the crew found themselves heading towards the finish line with the sea settled along at a much more manageable 9+ knots.
Steph describes the final leg of their Fastnet journey:
'With a preventor rigged and a storm sail up we headed into complete darkness, with no moonlight and no sense of the horizon, It was a long and difficult night. By morning we were on the final stretch across the English Channel towards Cherbourg. Boracic screamed toward the Channel Islands towards the finish, grey skies and rain as we crossed the finish line with a pod of dolphins on our bow!'
A huge congratulations to all those who took part in Fastnet 2023 and to Team Boracic for reaching the finishing line, the participants showed excellent, strength, determination, and seamanship. 825 nautical miles later Boracic finished in 29th place in IRC3 and 108th overall.
A well-deserved victory for the winners of the race this year which was Swiss entry Caro, they crossed the finish line in an inspiring 2 days, 16 hours, and 40 minutes.
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
This is truly a 5 * service. The team really looked after us both ashore on arrival and also while at sea. We were a relatively inexperienced crew but always felt the team ashore had our backs. Thoroughly recommended.
I just wanted to say Thank-you very much for the weekend charter. It was exactly what we were after (albeit cold!) plus Andy was an awesome teacher and great company. We’ll definitely be keen to book again soon!
We had a fabulous four days. Marina is ideally placed for the Solent, boat was in great condition, well equipped and a joy to sail. We were well briefed and the shore side team including the dog very friendly.
We charted one of the sailing yachts for a fantastic weekend cruise in the Solent. The boat was in superb condition and well equipped, the staff was very helpful explaining how things work on the yacht and there was also a video available with all the important information. 10/10 would recommend!
Had a fantastic week chartering Blue Otter, Alex was incredibly helpful and sent loads of information and date checking prior to booking. There was a handover video and both the handover and return were really smooth. The boat was lovely and well maintained and Lee was really helpful in recommending places to visit (and helping identify the steering issue as an autopilot takeover - doh!). Definitely will be back and would fully recommend!
Just back from a lovely week in the Solent. Great service from HPYC from first inquiry through to return handover. Very straightforward to deal with, and the yacht was in excellent condition. We've chartered from many companies in the UK and abroad and the attention to detail (and flawless inventory!) was second to none. Everything about the yacht and equipment had clearly been well looked after and was in immaculate condition. Great service, will use again.
Always very friendly service, and well-maintained yachts. Easy check-in and checkout. Will be back...
We had a great time and were very happy with everything. Your team were genuinely friendly and were very helpful when we needed it. Is a big contrast to many charter companies I have dealt with in the past.
Watching the sun go down with a glass of bubbly on the deck of a sparkling yacht was unbelievable. What a treat, and a much needed change of scenery in these troubled times. We will be back for sure
Fab service, nothing too much trouble, including my daft questions. I'll be a repeat customer for sure!
We had a great time sailing with Lee for a few days at the beginning of September. Hamble Point Yacht Charters supplied us an impeccable 45 ft Hanse yacht, which was handled with complete mastery by Captain Lee. It was a privilege to sail with Lee, who is clearly a highly skilled professional taking great pride in his work ... but who is also a fantastic character with a great sense of humour and plenty of fun stories to keep the whole family entertained. He balances the serious side of safety and learning about sailing with a whopping dose of amusement and good cheer. We sailed the Solent in some decent seas, visited Bucklers Hard on the banks of the Beaulieu River and learned lots about British nautical history. Our boys started somewhat of a fishing trend catching bass off the back of the boat in Portsmouth and we would love to sail with Lee again in the future. The man truly knows his stuff, maintained the boat impeccably and went to every effort to ensure that we had a great time. Many thanks to “Shippers” and Hamble Point Charters. We’ll be back.
Chartered bareboats with HPYC on numerous occasions most recently in Sept 2020. Always helpful and accommodating. Highly recommend.
We had a fantastic weekend sailing on Loxley B. Boat in super condition and spotlessly clean, Alex. and the team very thorough and always on hand to answer any questions. A great experience. We will be back. Thank you!
Lots of information from office with a friendly service. We selected a one of the cheaper yachts and was please with find everything work and was cleaned and tidy. We will definitely be back
This was the first time we had tried chartering and as experienced racing sailors we didn't know what to expect. Covid has closed down all our events this year so this was a chance to get afloat at least once in 2020. What a great experience and Alex and all the Hamble staff could not have been more friendly or helpful. We had a great three days and we will be back !! We would have no hesitation is recommending Hamble Point Yacht Charters.