The Fastnet Rock is one of sailing mythical milestones. It was in 1847 that the decision was taken to build a lighthouse on the lonely rock off Cape Clear, as much as the result of an American ship hitting West Calf Island in the thick mist and causing the death of over
While it may have become known as ‘Ireland’s teardrop’, because it was associated as the final vision of Ireland for emigrants heading to America in the 19th century, for racing yachtsmen it has become a very welcome sight, often a key passing mark marking the turn for home, and the finish.
Vendée Globe winner Vincent Riou is no stranger to the hallowed rock, last year winning the IMOCA Open 60 class in the Rolex Fastnet race. With less than 100 miles to the final big turn of this 2300 miles Europa Warm’Up race, the skipper from Pont l'Abbé near Quimper still holds a 13 miles lead over Bernard Stamm on Cheminées Poujoulat.
Some 21 miles behind the Swiss soloist, the ‘terrible twins’ are still tussling over third. Armel Le Cléac’h on Banque Populaire leads MACIF by exactly 4 miles with 17 miles of lateral separation between the two.
They should tack at, or very near the Rock, during tonight and work south as much as possible in anticipation of the heading SE’ly coming out of the Channel, before hopefully picking up a W’ly flow on a new system which arrives from the west, spurring them rapidly to La Rochelle and the finish line. With 450 miles to sail from the Irish rock to the finish, the winner might be in La Rochelle as early as 1800hrs (French time UTC+2) Sunday. Meantime in the easing breeze the programme on board has included maximum rest and some repairs in anticipation of the final push to the finish.
They said:
Armel Le Cléac'h (Banque Populaire): "I feel better now that I have solved my minor technical problems. I had a problem with the halyard lock (note: system which keeps the main up without maintain strain on the halyard). Also, I lost my small gennaker. With the boat speed, it was impossible to get it back on board, especially since it was full of water. So I had to slow and I was quite disabled. So, I was not able to keep up the first two. I should pass the lighthouse tomorrow morning or maybe tonight. We should not see much. Here, when the horn sounds, it is always quite impressive. "
Vincent Riou (PRB): " We should pass the Fastnet in the late evening. I'm happy because I managed to gain a bit on my opponents. Last night I moved to the west more to control Bernard Stamm which is good and we managed to do that without losing too much ground. "
François Gabart (MACIF): "It's getting a little chilly. I had to put on the boots again. Tonight tacking at the Fastnet and then catching the front that is behind us to find the westerly winds. Finish in La Rochelle on Sunday. "
Leaderboard 18 h
1 PRB Vincent Riou
2 Cheminées Poujoulat Bernard Stamm 13.4
3 MACIF François Gabart 31.9
4 Banque Populaire Armel Le Cléac'h 38.3
5 ACCIONA 100% EcoPowered Javier Sansó 260.3
Virbac-Paprec Jean-Pierre Dick Abandon
Groupe Bel Kito de Pavant Abandon
From : Europa Warm'Up
Credit : J.Vapillon/SeaandCo
While it may have become known as ‘Ireland’s teardrop’, because it was associated as the final vision of Ireland for emigrants heading to America in the 19th century, for racing yachtsmen it has become a very welcome sight, often a key passing mark marking the turn for home, and the finish.
Vendée Globe winner Vincent Riou is no stranger to the hallowed rock, last year winning the IMOCA Open 60 class in the Rolex Fastnet race. With less than 100 miles to the final big turn of this 2300 miles Europa Warm’Up race, the skipper from Pont l'Abbé near Quimper still holds a 13 miles lead over Bernard Stamm on Cheminées Poujoulat.
Some 21 miles behind the Swiss soloist, the ‘terrible twins’ are still tussling over third. Armel Le Cléac’h on Banque Populaire leads MACIF by exactly 4 miles with 17 miles of lateral separation between the two.
They should tack at, or very near the Rock, during tonight and work south as much as possible in anticipation of the heading SE’ly coming out of the Channel, before hopefully picking up a W’ly flow on a new system which arrives from the west, spurring them rapidly to La Rochelle and the finish line. With 450 miles to sail from the Irish rock to the finish, the winner might be in La Rochelle as early as 1800hrs (French time UTC+2) Sunday. Meantime in the easing breeze the programme on board has included maximum rest and some repairs in anticipation of the final push to the finish.
They said:
Armel Le Cléac'h (Banque Populaire): "I feel better now that I have solved my minor technical problems. I had a problem with the halyard lock (note: system which keeps the main up without maintain strain on the halyard). Also, I lost my small gennaker. With the boat speed, it was impossible to get it back on board, especially since it was full of water. So I had to slow and I was quite disabled. So, I was not able to keep up the first two. I should pass the lighthouse tomorrow morning or maybe tonight. We should not see much. Here, when the horn sounds, it is always quite impressive. "
Vincent Riou (PRB): " We should pass the Fastnet in the late evening. I'm happy because I managed to gain a bit on my opponents. Last night I moved to the west more to control Bernard Stamm which is good and we managed to do that without losing too much ground. "
François Gabart (MACIF): "It's getting a little chilly. I had to put on the boots again. Tonight tacking at the Fastnet and then catching the front that is behind us to find the westerly winds. Finish in La Rochelle on Sunday. "
Leaderboard 18 h
1 PRB Vincent Riou
2 Cheminées Poujoulat Bernard Stamm 13.4
3 MACIF François Gabart 31.9
4 Banque Populaire Armel Le Cléac'h 38.3
5 ACCIONA 100% EcoPowered Javier Sansó 260.3
Virbac-Paprec Jean-Pierre Dick Abandon
Groupe Bel Kito de Pavant Abandon
From : Europa Warm'Up
