The racing in the IMOCA 60 fleet at the start of the 2009 Rolex Fastnet Race was more akin to the Laser SB3 class than offshore racers. As the fleet ran down tide spread across the width of the Solent in only a few knots of breeze, the lead changed every few minutes as different parts of the race track became favoured for wind or more commonly current.

 

Mike Sanderson at the helm of Pindar made much of the early running but will be regretting a decision to let Sam Davies on Artemis gybe away to the south as soon after the breeze died completely in the north leaving Pindar stranded. Artemis meanwhile managed to maintain headway and recovered much of the lost ground on the fleet but BT who had taken the most southerly route were fully powered up and built up a lead of around half a mile.

 

As the leaders approached the Needles BT looked to be comfortable leaders but Artemis made great use of their Code Zero headsail to close down BT and eventually tack and cross BT before leading the entire Fastnet fleet past the Needles and off towards the Rock.

 

Here is a little video action of the leaders at the Needles....