Spectators in their thousands swarmed Cowes Green and the shores of the western Solent to witness the starts of the 51st Rolex Fastnet Race from 1120 until 1320 BST today.
This year’s event marks the centenary of the first Fastnet Race that saw seven boats set sail from Ryde and finish in Plymouth in 1925.
Fittingly the start saw a new record entry of 444 competitors, up from the previous largest of 430 in 2023, confirming the event as the world’s largest offshore race.
To witness the start of this special centenary Rolex Fastnet Race, Anne, Princess Royal started the race from the Platform of the Royal Yacht Squadron where she was accompanied by Sir Timothy Lawrence along with several past and present Commodores and Admirals of the Royal Ocean Racing Club, led by current Admiral Janet Grosvenor.
Mid-way through the start sequences competitors and spectators got to enjoy an aerial flypast from the Red Arrows.
With Cowes and the Solent overcast thanks to an occluded front, the starts took place beneath an overcast sky in a 10-12 knot southwesterly and a building ebb tide.
©️ ROLEX | RORC | TIDAL PULSE MEDIA
