Fastnet Race - the first few hours

Mike Broughton's essential reading for anyone taking part in RORC's classic offshore race

Anvil Point - There is a huge tidal differential close by Anvil Point that can be exploited to great effect by routing close to this headland. It is generated by the strong tidal flow sweeping south out of Poole Bay. This particular tidal river flows south past Handfast Point across the mouth of Swanage Bay, close to Peveril Point and around Anvil Point. It can flow at over twice the rate, half a mile further south. There is a further gain to be had from the local right hander' you get as you pass Swanage on starboard tack, which is generated by the wind flowing around the high ground here in a southwesterly.

St Alban's Tidal Race - A great gain to be made here, if you can position yourself correctly to get best advantage of this elliptically shaped tidal race, that is positioned on the western side of the Ledge on the ebb. Set up on starboard tack, just prior to the breaking water and keep on starboard to ensure that you make the best use this gain as you route south. The water rushes over this Ledge on the seabed (the water shallows from over 30 m to 12 m, then back to around 50m in less than half a mile) and generates short sharp waves that can prove both wet and tricky to helm through.

It was here in the an Admiral's Cup race that the boat I sailed on picked up five places in less than a mile by positioning carefully, to stay on starboard tack, to get maximum tidal advantage. Remember to set up the sails and rig for the rougher water, and sail slightly deeper angles to enable you to power the boat through the waves. Prudent seamanship would suggest that you should avoid this area in winds greater than 25 knots in a full ebb tide!


Mike Broughton has competed in ten Fastnet Races since his first in 1979 on a 'three quarter tonner'. He has since completed the race in boats ranging from maxis to Admiral's Cup racers. This year he is not taking part, but covering the event for RORC/MadforSailing.

Following the huge success of his oversubscribed lectures on 'Fastnet Tactics and Strategies' at RORC in the spring, he has joined forces with top forecasters Robbie Burns and Fiona Campbell (Team GBR), to conduct a ' Fastnet Race MasterClass' in Cowes at 1600 on Saturday 11 August. Details on www.sjyachting.co.uk A detailed Race forecast is also available on Sunday morning.