Fastnet marks centenary race
Four of the world’s fastest offshore racing yachts will lead the line as a fleet of around 450 boats sets off from the Royal Yacht Squadron’s Isle of Wight base for the elongated-course centenary Fastnet Race
695 nautical miles
IRELAND
UK
Fastnet Rock
CELTIC SEA
START: Cowes
Isle of Wight
Land’s End
FINISH: Cherbourg
Isles of Scilly
Alderney
FRANCE

YACHT CLASSES
1
Ultim
Maxi-trimaran
Length:
Beam (max):
Mast: 
Speed
Max:
Average:
32m
23m
37m
50 knots
35 knots
World’s fastest offshore yachts
Record: Set by favourite SVR-Lazartigue in 2023
1 day: 8 hrs: 38 mins
Foils allow multihull to “fly”

2
IMOCA 60
Length:
Beam:
Draft:
Speed:
Monohull
18m
5.85m
4.5m
30 knots+
Eight entries all including female crew

3
MOCRA
Multihull catamarans and trimarans
9-21m
Proportional to length
30 knots+
20 entries
MOD70 trimaran
Foil
Main sail

4
IRC Monohull
385 entries from multiple classes

Sources: Fastnet, RORC
Picture: Getty Images
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