Killing Time battles for top three class spot in Fastnet

Tuesday 25 July 2023

Guernsey’s Killing Time is locked in a tight battle for a podium spot in their class in the Rolex Fastnet Race.

She is currently approaching the famous Fastnet Rock off southern Ireland in fourth in IRC2A having left Cowes on Saturday afternoon.

Killing Time, skippered by Alastair Bisson, is within two nautical miles of second and third, Puma and Black Sheep, according to the onboard trackers, having traded positions during the race.

The class leader, Fujitsu British Soldier, is about 10nm ahead.

Pictured: The positions of Killing Time and Majic2 and the other competitors in IRC2A.

Majic2, the second local yacht racing, led by Ron Wilkes-Green, is 16th in the class having sheltered outside Yarmouth on the first night as gale force winds took their toll on the fleet.

That led to one yacht sinking and the crew being rescued, while around 86 boats from a record 430 entries are believed to have retired in those opening stages.

HM Coastguard said they responded to 28 incidents as a result of difficult weather conditions on Saturday night affecting vessels participating in the race.

Pictured: Swanage lifeboat approaching a yacht during the Fastnet. Image/video from RNLI.

The quickest yachts are already in Cherbourg.

The giant 32m long flying trimaran SVR Lazartigue, skippered by François Gabart, was first home in the 629nm race, winning the Ultim class. 

They set a new record of 1 day 8 hours 38 minutes 27 seconds, breaking the time set by Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier on Maxi Groupe Edmond de Rothschild two years ago by 36 minutes 27 seconds. 

Pictured: Majic2 on her way to Cowes ahead of the Fastnet.

All the yachts can be tracked in near real time from https://yb.tl/fastnet2023

Pictured top: Killing Time.