(Cowes, Isle of Wight, England)- The waiting is nearly over for the 44th
edition of the 608 nautical mile Rolex Fastnet Race, one of the great
ocean challenges, starting on Sunday, August 14th. With a staggering 350
entrants at the ready, 1979’s record-breaking tally of 303
participating yachts will almost certainly be surpassed. The sheer size
of the fleet is impressive. Its quality and diversity quite
breathtaking. Inspiring and exhilarating in equal measure, there is
every reason to believe that the 2011 Rolex Fastnet Race will maintain
the event’s pioneering and prestigious tradition.Regarding the "draw" of the Rolex Fastnet, one sailor said, "It is a mythical race. This year will be our seventh time and we are always very pleased and enthusiastic to participate with the crazy dream of winning it one more time." John Towers is helming the J/122 OOJAH (GBR) with a US-based crew joining British boat owner Peter Tanner, their navigator for the race. The English Channel is some distance from their usual racing haven of the east coast of the United States. "As a group of Americans, we consider the Rolex Fastnet Race to be a once in a lifetime adventure that is a natural compliment to our passion for distance racing," explains Towers, "the Fastnet is a big deal for us and an adventure that we have been planning for the last two years. Our goal will be the same as any other race we enter. Priority one is a safe passage. Priority two is that the experience is very positive for all members of the crew. Our third priority is to be competitive."
Amongst fellow offshore enthusiasts will be passionate J sailors racing in IRC 1 Class, a bevy of J/133s that, despite sailing against some world-class offshore IRC teams, have proven time and again the J/133s are extremely strong all-around sailboats and garner silver "pickle dishes" for their owners on a regular basis. Amongst this competitive crowd are JINGS (David Ballantyne from England), JIVARO (Yves Grosjean from France), SPIRIT OF JACANA (Alan, Bruce and James Douglas from Ireland) and ASSARAIN IV (Doug Bates from England).
If IRC 1 Class looked competitive, how about IRC 2 Class, with 77 boats the largest and arguably the most competitive in the entire Fastnet fleet! Two of the hot J/111 speedsters will be sailing, including the newly launched J-XCENTRIC that will be doublehanded by Robin Verhoef and John van der Starre and early RORC Season IRC 1 Class Season Points leader- ARABELLA sailed by Niall Dowling's talented team. Not giving an inch to these flyers will be the J/133 APOLLO 3 (sailed by Nigel Passmore) as well as the other RORC Champions, the J/122s with a very experienced contingent of offshore veterans, including JOLLY JELLYFISH (David Richards), JOOPSTER (Neil Kipling), two French teams that include LORELEI (Alain Cathireneau) and NUTMEG IV (Francois Lognone) and an American team on OOJAH (John Towers). Also mixing it up with them will be the J/120 NUNATAK (doublehanded by Mike Jacques).
IF IRC 1 and IRC 2 weren't strong enough, then take into consideration the fact that IRC 3 Class, with 72 boats is the second largest class in the Fastnet fleet, has all sorts of offshore mercenaries in their ranks- including FIFTEEN J/109s (more on them in a second) and three J/105s- the ring-leader amongst them being RORC Vice Commodore Nick Martin on his J/105 DIABLO-J, the RORC Doublehanded Offshore Seasons Point leader. This group of sailors is about as tough as they come, fun-loving, fast, give no quarter, will push their boats to the max. Watch out. If it turns out to be a "small boat race", this entire fleet of 35 foot J's could easily crush the fleet. In the J/109s, you have some great teams, including JAZZY JELLYFISH (Kevin Armstrong), JARHEAD (Kevin Nasmyth), RED ARROW (Jorg Lobbedey sailing for the Royal Air Force Sailing Assoc), YEOMAN OF WIGHT (with the renowned David Aisher sailing for British Keelboat Academy), JAMBO (Stephen Morris), JOLENE II (Phillip Nelson), OFFBEAT (David Mcleman), JIBE (Robin Taunt), JUMPING JELLYFISH (Robin Nelson), ARETHUSA (Cornelius Mijs from the Netherlands), INSPARA (Tor McLaren), JAGERBOMB (Paul Griffiths) and JAMBALAYA (Andrew Bird). Of the J/109s sailing Doublehanded, they are JAMIRA (Mark Tracey) and JANGADA TOO (Richard Palmer). Finally, if the J/109 contingent goes down in flames, it's only because the J/105s did them in! ALL of the J/105s in this class are racing Doublehanded- less food, less water, less weight, go faster reaching/off-the-wind, type of scenario?? Holy smokes, these J/105 guys are dangerous. All three are not only capable of IRC 3 Class, Doublehanded, but also IRC Overall!! Ouch. That includes FLAWLESS J (James Heald), VOADOR (Nikki Curwen and Alex Adams) and RORC Vice Commodore Nick Martin on DIABLO-J. Of note, nearly 1/3 of the Doublehanded IRC Fleet in the Fastnet are J's- 8 of 29 boats sailing!
Finally, in IRC 4 Class awaiting to prove themselves after a tough Warsash Fall and Hamble Spring Series is the J/97- JIKA-JIKA that will also be doublehanded by Mike and Jamie Holmes! Forewarned is forearmed for those leaders in IRC 3, JIKA-JIKA will easily be a force to be reckoned with, a comfy little flyer that J/97 is!! For more Rolex Fastnet Race sailing information
