Donna Bertarelli and Yann Guichard’s 140ft trimaran Spindrift 2 crossed the finishing line in Plymouth at 0253 this morning to take line honours in the multihull division of the Fastnet race. She took 38hr 53m 58s, an impressive performance given the significantly lighter conditions when compared to the last race in 2011. Then she completed the course in 32hours.

Her race around the rock had seen a close boat for boat duel with the new Banque Populaire, a 100ft trimaran formerly known as Groupama.

“The decisive moment of the race was here at the finish,” said Guichard. “We were in close contact throughout the race with Banque Populaire VII. In the Irish sea there was a time where they were ahead of us. Everything, as usual, played out in the last two miles, where we were very anxious because of the light conditions.. This race is a sprint. You have to be on the ball from start to finish, and that is what makes this race special.”

Whether the remaining 340 boats that are strung out across the Celtic Sea would agree that the Fastnet Race is a sprint is questionable, but looking at the tracker this year’s event certainly looks to be one of the most competitive of all.

More news later today.

How to follow the Race:

Fastnet TV:
http://fastnet.rorc.org

Fastnet Radio:
Fastnet Radio station operation in Plymouth on 87.9fm.

An audio stream will also be live on the official website http://fastnet.rorc.org/