It takes years together for anything to make its mark and stand at the top of the pyramid where it would be an honour for anyone to be associated with it. And when two greats get together it results in something absolutely unimaginable. Not only they add value to each other’s profile but also raise their own stature. Whenever such linkages have been built in the world everyone has taken notice and looked forward to enjoying the result of the best becoming better. The same kind of excitement was too obvious to be missed when two remarkable giants on their own turfs, Rolex and Fastnet Race, came together and thus started the evolution of Rolex Fastnet Race. There could not have been a better tribute to the values that Rolex and Fastnet Race always stood for than the two joining hands in promoting the same even further.

Fastnet Race is a highly renowned and popular yachting race, which ranks at the top among the different classic offshore races. The race covers a distance of 608 miles off the coasts of UK. Its starting point is on the Isle of Wright at Cowes and the end point is Plymouth, both in England. Along its course the race rounds the Fastnet Rock, which is situated off the southwest coast of Ireland and passes just south of the Isles of Scilly. The team that beats the rest can lay its hands on the prestigious Fastnet Challenge Cup.

For many it is still debatable but it is believed that the first Fastnet race was held in the year 1925 and was won by Jolie Brise. The race caught the fancy of yachting enthusiasts from the very beginning and its popularity kept rising race after race. After almost half a century of successful racing in the year 1973 International Offshore Rule was introduced which meant that the yachts and crew could go ahead and take up sponsorships. The race had started off as an annual race but after 1931 it became a biennial event. Since then the yachting teams, crews and fans, all eagerly look forward to this race that is a test of the inner strength and motivation that its participants have.

The significance of the Fastnet Race reached higher levels when Rolex started sponsoring the event. In fact the very name of the race was changed and was rechristened Rolex Fastnet Race. It is now one of the most awaited Rolex events in the whole world. The number of participants in the race has been on a constant rise and the number is fast closing on to a 300 boat strong fleet.

BLESMA, the British Limbless Ex Servicemen Association is well known for providing support and care for the amputees and other disabled ex service personnel. This is something that Rolex always considers quite close to its basic philosophy. BLESMA has been strongly promoting this cause for a long time through different channels. Taking the same cause forward an all disabled BLESMA team is going to take part in the Rolex Fastnet Race 2009 in the month of August. The kind of success BLESMA enjoyed through its successful Transatlantic crossing last year has really pumped the team up and poses a threat to the able-bodied sailors as well.

Rolex on its part always ensures that it does everything it can to associate with events that promote success achieved through sheer hard work and untiring efforts, something it itself brings out in its own offerings. The same motive has been the reason for the pride that Rolex takes in being actively involved with the Fastnet Race.

Tags: Belsma Team, rolex, Rolex Fastnet Race, Rolex Fastnet Race 2009

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 at 4:40 am and is filed under Rolex Culture, Rolex Events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.