00:00 What makes the Rolex Vastner race an iconic race?
00:06 I think history.
00:08 We're talking about the biggest offshore fleet in any race anywhere in the world at any time.
00:16 Tactically, probably one of the most complex race.
00:20 The first time anyone does it, finishing is the target.
00:23 Even if you've done it many times, you don't really know what you're going to face.
00:28 It's a really tough three, four day event. It's a hell of a big challenge.
00:32 You're amongst this huge fleet of boats of all shapes and sizes.
00:35 It is a classic race. It's iconic.
00:38 Getting across the finish line is a monumental achievement.
00:41 The Rolex Vastner race is the first of its kind in the world.
00:45 The Rolex Vastner race is the first of its kind in the world.
00:48 The Rolex Vastner race is the first of its kind in the world.
00:51 The Rolex Vastner race is the first of its kind in the world.
00:54 The Rolex Vastner race is the first of its kind in the world.
00:57 The Rolex Vastner race is the first of its kind in the world.
01:00 If you think back in 1925, there were six or seven boats.
01:04 We've now moved on 98 years.
01:07 The race still attracts the smaller boats, which is fundamental and very important to the race.
01:13 But also to that top end, big end of the professional classes.
01:16 We're on the same pitch.
01:18 I don't think there's anywhere else really that you can compete with the top sailors in the world
01:24 or the top sportsmen in the world on the same field.
01:27 I could do a Vastner on a much smaller budget or a much bigger budget,
01:30 but I'm still in a Vastner race and I'm still competing for the same prize.
01:33 I think that's incredible.
01:36 And what is attractive is the variety of conditions you're going to face over the three or three and a half or four days.
01:45 Racing is serious. It can be dangerous at some point.
01:51 When you can see boats jumping off waves, most normal races, you'd avoid those conditions.
01:57 But this is the Vastner and you push through it and you're pushing hard as well.
02:04 Going around the rock is always an emotional time.
02:08 It's a time when we get together as a crew and celebrate the stage we've got to in the race.
02:13 The Vastner at Rock is, I've always said, is a mythical place.
02:17 It's always magic with this very powerful lighthouse on the middle of the rock island.
02:26 [Music]
02:29 It rightly deserves that accolade of being the world's biggest yacht race.
02:43 And to a lot of Corinthian sailors, we need to respect that this is their Everest.
02:48 This potentially will be the biggest race they'll ever do in their lives and one on their bucket list.
02:53 And hopefully, I wish them all the best of luck, they'll achieve that dream.
02:58 [Music]
03:02 [Music]
03:05 (whooshing)
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