Open 60s in the Rolex Fastnet Race 2005 - Update

Hugo Boss gets off to a great start (from Alex Thompson Racing)

The north westerly breeze picked up to a fresh 7.5 knots and the fleet of 11 Open 60's set off up the western Solent, destination round the Fastnet Rock, and ultimately, completing the course in Plymouth.

At 1230 BST exactly, the polished, bronze cannon of the Royal Yacht Squadron announced the start for the Open 60 class in the Rolex Fastnet 2005, leaving a large wisp of a smoke ring loitering in the air, once the bellowing echo had long dissipated.

“We are predominantly suited to screaming reaches and it doesn't seem like we will see a lot of reaching. As always we are aiming for line honours but the competition will be really tough with a line up of very experienced skippers,” said Alex.

HUGO BOSS made an excellent start amongst the mêlée of boats, second across the line, pipped at the post by le Frenchman, Jean Pierre-Dick, in Virbac Paprec but with Emma Richards and Volvo skipper former America's cup skipper, Mike Sanderson at the helm snapping closely at their heels.

The stronger winds meant that the 60's were making a respectable 17 knots as they charged up the Solent, churning the water in their wake. It was a splendid site to behold with the fine livery of the 11 yachts on full display as they sailed away from the start line of and began the 608 mile race.

Update from Hellomoto: (from Mary Ambler)

The 12 strong Open 60 fleet in the Rolex Fastnet 2005 race had a ‘stop-go’ start as they sailed off the Royal Yacht Squadron line at Cowes in a shifting and gusty breeze. HELLOMOTO, steered over the line by ex-‘Enigma’ Fastnet winning helmsman Ben Cooper, stayed closer to the Island side in stronger following tide, and crossed in the top pack of boats. Despite a slightly unlucky initial transition, where the Northerly gradient wind shifted to a SW sea-breeze and the leaders Pindar Alphagraphics and Ecover were the first to catch this shift and push out a lead, Conrad Humphreys and team were back on pace and in 8th place at the latest position report after hunting down Hugo Boss.

Conrad rang in to update on their progress since the start: “It was a difficult exit out of the Solent when the Northerly gradient wind shifted to the sea breeze and we all got caught up together. The first boats to get that shift are out 5 miles in front of us, but we’re neck and neck with the winning Vendée boat, now called ‘Roxy’, and have Virbac ahead to leeward. We’d hoped to reel in Hugo Boss – Ben’s driving really well – but Skandia, the boat we measure up with has got good pace up ahead. The French boats mostly went inside the North Channel marker and stayed with the Northerly gradient, so Stamm for one is doing well.”

Commenting on the next few hours ahead: “We’re all going upwind, not the favourable angle for these boats, the tide’s with us, but I doubt we’ll get round Portland Bill before it changes. When the sea breeze dies and the Northerly comes back it’s due to go very light after about 7pm tonight. It’ll be a tough call whether to go on the right side of the course or sail offshore to stay in the breeze. Around 8pm tonight we’ll kick into our watch system. I’m on with Simon, and Joff with Ben, Nat is floating between the two. We’re all looking forward to some ready made home-cooked stew for supper tonight!”

Conrad penned his initial thoughts for the first 12 hours of the race in a diary before the off: “The Rolex Fastnet is a tough, tactical race and the early signs are that this race will be no different. The forecast is looking decidedly tricky, with a high pressure ridge set to dominate southern Ireland and drift across the race track. Combine the light forecast and the typically strong tidal currents found on the south coast of England and I think we will see some big splits in the fleet after the first night at sea.

“The first 24 hours of the race in terms of the weather is going to be very interesting. Two years ago the first dozen boats that passed Portland before the tide turned went on to dominate the podium positions. My gut feel is that this race is shaping up to be the same.

“It’s great fun to be sailing with a team again. The last couple of years my focus has been on the solo sailing and there is a big difference between having your team around you on the water rather than on the end of a satellite telephone!”

ECOVER heads towards Lands End: (from Coralie Rassinoux)

ECOVER, skippered by Mike Golding had a good night as they raced towards the Fastnet Rock in the Rolex Fastnet Race. At 0830hrs this morning they were on a direct line between The Lizard and Lands End, having just lost sight of Pindar Alphagraphics ahead of them.

“We entered St Austell Bay a mile behind Pindar and we both sailed into a hole. It looks like Pindar has got the breeze first but it is just filling out now and we have about 5 knots of north easterly breeze. We are ghosting along under spinnaker so have probably lost out to some of the boats further offshore, like Hellomoto and Hugo Boss. The Volvo 60, ABN Amro is about a mile behind us. We caught up with them 6 hours ago and have not been able to shake them off, so now with more breeze we hope to lose them pretty quickly,” stated Merfyn Owen.

During the night the crew of ECOVER knew that they were close to other boats, but it was not until dawn broke that they were able to actually see them and identify their opponents in the night’s game of cat and mouse.

“With the breeze filling in we are tempted to stay on the line rather than jibe and get out of the Bay. As we are about to get to Lands End, anything can happen with the breeze and currents – it is what we call ‘box the compass’, so it will be a morning for tactical decisions. In fact we can just see Sill et Veoila,” continued Merfyn.

ECOVER is operating a watch system with Mike and journalist, John ‘Robo’ Roberson, floating. Paul Brotherton, a first-timer to Open 60’s and offshore racing is enjoying the tactical side of the race.

“It was a lot of fun last night and we kept taking boats. The breeze is building steadily – it is the most steady we have seen for a while and we have had our morning fry-up – so all is good on the good ship ECOVER”, concluded Merfyn.

Further information about the RORC and the Rolex Fastnet Race can be found at www.rorc.org