On Saturday, the world's biggest offshore yacht race celebrates its 100th anniversary. A record-breaking 450 yachts representing 26 nations will line up in Cowes, on Britain's Isle of Wight.

The race is a unique opportunity to see the latest technology in sailing and the passion of amateur sailors clash. The fleet will cover 695 nautical mile, including a rounding of Fastnet Rock, located 13 km southwest of Cape Clear Island off the south coast of Ireland.

Four giant Ultim trimarans measuring 32 metres and capable of 90 km/h (50 knots) will lead the race. They are led by SVR-Lazartigue, the record-holder from last year, and a crew that includes Franck Cammas, Tom Laperche and Peter Burling.

The competition is fierce, with Actual Ultim 4, Maxi Banque Populaire XI in top form, and Thomas Coville’s Sodebo Ultim 3 all eager to beat the benchmark time 1 day, 8 hour, 38 minutes.

The IMOCA class 60 brings with it its own intrigue. Charlie Dalin, the double Fastnet winner, is not present. This opens the door to rivals such as Yoann Richomme aboard Paprec Arkea. All eight IMOCAs this year have female crew and three of them are skippered by women - a significant milestone for the class.

MOCRA's multihull division also has 20 entries, and the highlight of this division was a battle between MOD70s Argo vs Zoulou. The IRC fleet is the backbone of Fastnet, with 385 monohulls from all shapes and vintages racing together under the same International Rating Certificate (IRC rating rule handicap).

IRC Four is the slowest of all classes. Nearly 100 boats are in this class. This includes family crews such as Richard and Sophie Palmer, sailing Jangada and Turkey's First 35 Express racing to inspire their home country.

The monohull line honors, awarded to the first boat to finish regardless of handicap, went to MACIF IMOCA skippered by Dalin last year in just two days, seven hour, sixteen minutes, and 26 seconds.

Caro, skippered by Max Klink, won the Fastnet Challenge Cup for the best corrected IRC time.

This centenary crew is eager to write another chapter in the history of offshore sailing when the cannons fire at Cowes. (Editing by Toby Davis).

(source: Reuters)