Records could be broken on this Fastnet Race, provided the handful of maxis get to the Fastnet Rock before Wednesday morning – and then hold together. But the rest of the 300-strong race fleet is about to face their biggest test of seamanship and preparation in almost 30 years.

Weather forecasts are converging to show that the forecast severe gale will hit the majority of the fleet on the way to the Rock on Wednesday. According to weather expert Mike Broughton, this will produce extremely rough and potentially destructive conditions similar to those encountered by the 1979 race fleet.

Broughton is one of the few competitors this year to have experienced the 1979 Fastnet storm, and he confesses to feeling fearful about what lies ahead.

Read more about the forecast and what lies ahead on my blog.