By midday, the Royal Ocean Racing Club announced online entries for the upcoming Rolex Fastnet Race had reached capacity. Less than 24 hours after the online entry system was officially available, 300 yachts had registered for this classic competition. This sets a new record previously smashed by the last race in 2011 when the limit was reached after 10 days.
Rolex Fastnet Fleet at Sutton Harbour Marina in Plymouth, UK - Photo by Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi
Henny Abbenhues’ First 42s7 sailing yacht Blondie was the first boat to enter, only 7 seconds after entries opened.
Nick Elliott, RORC Racing Manager confirmed: “It’s been an astonishing 24 hours with the 300 boat entry limit for the Rolex Fastnet Race being reached in record time. We are delighted that the race is so popular and that the places have once again been taken up faster than ever before.”
All is not necessarily lost for yachts that have not been so quick off the mark to enter, as a waiting list can be still joined online. Past experience shows that approximately 10 to 15% of the yachts entered do not go on to compete in the race, so it is very likely that places will become available.
