Yachts of all sizes leave the Solent for the 603 nmile Rolex Fastnet Race © Rolex-Kurt Arrigo

Local sailors will join 4,000 competitors in around 400 boats from 29 different countries in the world’s largest offshore race – the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race, organised by the Royal Ocean racing Club.

The race sets sail from Cowes on 6 August and will showcase the most diverse range of yachts imaginable; from 30ft to 130ft and attracts aspiring sailors to professional crews who race all over the world.

The entry list makes for impressive reading, both in its scale, diversity and quality of the fleet taking part, confirming the Rolex Fastnet Race’s position as the world’s biggest and most popular offshore race, by far.

Now in its 47th year, the race started with seven boats in 1925 and nowadays, sailors worldwide are drawn by the history and sporting lure of the greatest offshore contest. The challenging 605 mile race from Cowes to the Fastnet Rock off southwest Ireland and back around the Scilly Isles to Plymouth, is now by far the biggest of all the international 600 mile offshore races.

It will be streamed live online from the official website:  http://fastnet.rorc.org/

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