J-Doublehanders a Tour'd'Force
(Cowes, Isle of Wight, England)- The international attraction of the Fastnet Race is unquestionable. The race organizers, the Royal Ocean Racing Club and in particular its CEO, Eddie Warden Owen (who has 7 races under his belt and is a pedigreed J/24 European & United Kingdom Champion) are quick to recognize the status the race has achieved and its widespread popularity. “It’s the people’s Everest of the ocean,” says Warden Owen. “It’s a tough challenge but one people enjoy.” A view plainly echoed by the some 3,000 sailors drawn to the contest every two years and the intrepid yachtsmen who have gone before.
Over 20 different nations from four continents sailed this years Fastnet. Around 40% of fleet and half the sailors are non-British. From the United States to Russia, the United Arab Emirates to Australia, the fleet reflects the continued international reach of the sport of offshore yacht racing pitting together the finest professional sailors and passionate Corinthians. From young Omani female sailor Raiya al Habsi, taking on the event for the first time, to 83-year old Dutchman Piet Vroon making the nautical pilgrimage to the Fastnet rock for a 25th time, the allure is irresistible.
The majority of the record-breaking 336 race starters share two common goals: the first naturally enough is to finish this 611-nautical mile test of skill and character. The second is to win the event overall and to claim the coveted Rolex Fastnet Challenge Cup and Rolex timepiece.
In
IRC 2A Class, the winning French team from 2011 sailing J/122 NUTMEG
IV, with skipper Francois Lognone, again sailed a great race to capture a
4th place. Behind them in 9th were the Netherlands J/122 JUNIQUE
sailed by double-handers Chris Revelman & Pascal Bakker. And, in
10th was the French J/122 LORELEI sailed by Alain Catherineau. After
them were a trio of J/111s from 13th to 15th: OJE (Andrew Hill), BRITISH
SOLDIER (Henry Foster) and XCENTRIC RIPPER (John van der Starre &
Robin Verhoef- who also sailed doublehanded). 
The double-handed world saw a record forty-five entrants and, again, the
J/Class sailed remarkably well considering the difficult conditions. A
former J/105 stablemate (the French father/son Poison team) won the
entire Fastnet Race overall (kudos to them!). Not far off the pace
behind them were the third place Netherlands team on the J/122 JUNIQUE
(Chris Revelman & Pascal Bakker), the fourth place J/109 JANGADA TOO
(Richard Palmer) the eighth place J/111 XCENTRIC RIPPER (John van der
Starre & Robin Verhoef) and the ninth place J/122 J-BELLINO (Rob
Craigie). As a fleet, the J/Teams did great, capturing nearly 50% of
the top prizes in the 45 boat strong doublehanded fleet! Sailing photo credits- Rolex/ Kurt Arrigo. For more Rolex Fastnet Race sailing information
