As the world’s largest and most notorious offshore race has gained in popularity, the competitiveness of the 380-boat fleet has increased. A few may be ticking another item on their bucket list, but the majority of competitors are out to win in some way, whether chasing overall victory or making a friendly wager with rivals.
Diversity within the fleet has also increased. From heavily crewed supermaxis, to short-handed 33-footers, from paid to race to paying to race, the Rolex Fastnet Race continues to draw a huge variety of sailors, boats and teams.
What remains the same, though, as its organisers, the RORC, celebrates its 90th year, is that the 605nm race is famously tricky when it comes to tactics and can be physically challenging when conditions pipe up. So what…