International sailing event soloFASTNET returns to Plymouth’s Sutton Harbour
The marina at Sutton Harbour
Sutton Harbour is getting ready to welcome skippers from this year’s Round Rock Race as they cross the finish line in Plymouth.
The SORC Round Rock Race, also known as the soloFASTNET, is one of the most demanding ocean races and involves skippers from all over the world tackling a 610 nautical mile course, sailing day and night through the North Atlantic’s unpredictable weather.
Organised by the Solo Offshore Racing Club, this year’s event kicked off from Cowes on 2 June with skippers expected at the finish line in Plymouth by the end of the week.
The race tests the skill and endurance of solo skippers as they travel west from Cowes along the South Coast, making their way across the Celtic Sea to circumvent Fastnet Rock before turning south, sailing around the Isles of Scilly and finally finishing in Plymouth.
The SORC Round Rock Race is a category 2 race which has been designed by solo sailors for solo sailors, testing their skills and endurance in an offshore race across the North Atlantic Ocean. It is open to any IRC rated boat or class boat racing under their class rules. Skippers need to have substantial short-handed offshore experience to take part.
After completing the grueling solo ocean race, skippers are invited to a post-race event and Prize Giving at Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club at 6.30pm on 8 June where there will be a number of prizes on offer.
Sailors are able to berth in The Marina at Sutton Harbour after they finish the Rock Race until midday on 9 June with the cost of berthing in the marina included in their race entry price.
Mark Brimacombe, Manager of The Marina at Sutton Harbour, said: “We are thrilled to once again be welcoming the solo skippers of the Round Rock Race into the Marina as they finish this tough 630 mile course. The Round Rock Race is a challenging solo race which has become iconic on the UK sailing scene and we are privileged that the Solo Offshore Racing Club have again chosen to berth at The Marina at Sutton Harbour.
“The Marina at Sutton Harbour is in the heart of Plymouth, with immediate access to the stunning sailing waters of Plymouth Sound, making it the perfect place to relax and rejoice after completing such a grueling course.”
The Round Rock Race is just one of the major sailing events happening at The Marina at Sutton Harbour this year. Plymouth will also be the starting point for the Yacht Club Classique Plymouth to La Rochelle Race from July 12th to 14th, which occurs every two years and has been growing in popularity, with more vessels entering each time it is held.
In addition the Marina is hosting a number of boat owner and association rallies throughout the summer including the Sadler & Starlight Association’s 40th Anniversary Celebrations which is happening on August 8th to 10th at the same time as the British Fireworks Championships making it a truly spectacular event.
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