Just a day after entries opened for this year’s Fastnet Race the 300-boat limit had been reached. The Royal Ocean Racing Club confirmed entries for the race had reached capacity less than 24 hours after the online entry system opened.

This sets a new record previously held by the last race in 2011 when the limit was reached after 10 days.
Sailor Henny Abbenhues’ First 42s7, Blondie was the first boat to enter, only seven seconds after entries opened. 

Nick Elliott, RORC Racing Manager said: ‘We are delighted that the race is so popular and that the places have once again been taken up faster than ever before.’

For those still hoping to enter a waiting list can be joined at: http://remus.rorc.org. A RORC spokeswoman said: ‘Past experience shows that approximately 10 to 15% of the boats entered do not go on to compete in the race, so it is very likely that places will become available.’

Malden Heckstall-Smith, former editor of Yachting Monthly was one of the founders of the Fastnet Race which was conceived by yachtsman-author Weston Martyr. Entered by seven vessels, the inaugural Fastnet Race was won by the pilot cutter Jolie Brise in 1925.