The World Sailing Show: Programme 8 - Season 2019

The World Sailing Show: Programme 8 - Season 2019 © World Sailing

In brief

The Fastnet is one of sailing's most iconic and challenging races. This year's edition attracted the biggest fleet to date as 388 yachts set sail on what would prove a record-breaking event as the battle for line honours went right down to the wire. Also in the Solent, the sport's fastest fleet racing series made its European debut in equally dramatic style as SailGP broke both records and carbon out on the water.

It's been a busy few weeks in Japan as well as the 470s played out their world championships on the waters of Enoshima before all ten classes battled it out in the Olympic test event just a year out from the start of the Games. And the Olympic news doesn't stop there, as World Sailing announced more details of an exciting new offshore class for the 2024 Games in Paris.

Meanwhile back in Europe the Diam 24s concluded their own Tour De France in the Tour Voile, while the 52 Super Series was taking advantage of great conditions in Cascais, Portugal to put on another masterclass.

• Record-breaking year for the famous Fastnet Race.
• Thrills, spills and crashes as SailGP arrives in the U.K.
• Tour Voile wraps up an exciting seven-act event
• Mixed conditions at the 470 Worlds proves a test for the best dinghy sailors.
• All ten Olympic classes in action at the 2020 Test Event in Enoshima.
• Major announcement of the 2024 Olympic Mixed-Offshore class.
• The breeze is out for the most sophisticated Grand Prix racers in Cascais, with the 52 Super Series.

Features

The Fastnet Race

It's one of the great classics of sailing and the largest offshore race in the world. The legendary, biannual sprint from Cowes, round the Fastnet rock off the south-west coast of Ireland and back to Plymouth didn't disappoint this year. As well as big boats dominating the mono-hull race, there was a record-breaking tussle between the Ultimes of Maxi Edmond De Rothschild, skippered by Volvo Ocean Race winners Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier, and Francois Gabart's MACIF with Jimmy Spithill onboard.

SailGP in Cowes

It was only a matter of time perhaps, but the elusive 50 knot barrier was finally broken in Cowes as the extraordinary racing machines made their European debut. Team GB were first to break the milestone at the fourth act of the inaugural season, but that was only the start of the most dramatic event to date.

Tour Voile

This seven-act tour is a firm favourite in France with both sailors and spectators alike. Made up of inshore racing and coastal raids, the World Sailing Show looks at how the 2019 event panned out and who was left holding the trophy after the last stop in Nice.

470 World Champions

A year out from next year's Games, the 470s were out on the Olympic waters of Enoshima for their 2019 World Championships.

The best male and female crews including reigning Olympic Champion Hannah Mills were in Japan to see who could conquer conditions ahead of Tokyo 2020.

52 Super Series - Cascais

The most refined grand prix monohulls were in Cascais, Portugal for round three of this year's championship. The venue renowned for its strong breeze and punchy conditions did not disappoint as 2018 champions Quantum Racing went in search of their first regatta win of the season.

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