This time next week the 44th Fastnet Race will be getting underway with a stellar field of runners and riders.

Six entrants have also registered for next winter’s Vendée Globe, with Alex Thomson, Bernard Stamm, Armel Le Cléac’h, Vincent Riou, Marc Guillemot and Jean-Pierre Dick among the record 350 participants.

The 140ft French trimaran, Maxi Banque Populaire, will be the largest boat on the start line with credible hopes of breaking the multihull record and a strong favourite to take line honours.

At the other end of the scale Bernie Bingham will skipper the 608-mile race’s smallest boat, his Rogers 30, Brightwork.

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