Last night’s travel rules announcement means Fastnet Race competitors now have more options to stop in the start and finish ports of Cowes and Cherbourg.With last night\u2019s announcement by the British government that restrictions would be eased for visitors from France returning to the UK, competitors in the Rolex Fastnet Race now have increased options to stop in the start and finish ports of Cowes and Cherbourg.
\nPreviously, due to France\u2019s unique \u2018Amber Plus\u2019 designation, visitors to the UK coming from France had to quarantine upon their arrival.
\nThe latest legislation will see France\u2019s COVID status being downgraded to \u2018Amber\u2019 from 0400 on Sunday 8th August. \u2013 the start day for the Rolex Fastnet Race.
\nFor the crews of the 355 participating yachts in the Rolex Fastnet Race this has two several welcome effects.
\nBritish competitors who are double-vaccinated\u00a0can now stop in Cherbourg at the end of the race\u00a0(where there is free berthing at Port Chantereyne) and then return home to the UK at their leisure, where they will no longer be required to quarantine.
\nMeanwhile, French and other non-British competitors who previously weren\u2019t able to touch land in the UK prior to the start of the race will now be able to stop in Cowes (or elsewhere in the UK) prior to the start, from 0400 on Sunday morning, provided that their crew is double vaccinated.<\/p>\n
Fastnet competitors will have a full social programme once ashore in Cherbourg \u00a9 JM Enault<\/p>\n
For non-UK boats, stopping in the UK on Sunday morning may provide some welcome respite after what could be a tiring Channel crossing in 20+ knot south-westerlies.
\nNonetheless, the RORC are still expecting non-UK competitors to complete their registration in Cherbourg.
\n\u201cWe are expecting between 150-180 registrations,\u201d says Chris Stone, who is leading the team currently handling registration for the race in Cherbourg.
\n\u201cThat is a big change from what we anticipated originally when we thought we would have probably less than one third of the fleet registering here.\u201d
\nThe rule change also means that if any non-British teams opt to retire to an English port after the start, they will not face quarantine restrictions.
\nAny British boats who suffer gear damage and need to stop in Cherbourg after the finish to make repairs will also benefit from the change in new legislation.
\nChris Stone, Race Director of the Rolex Fastnet Race welcomed the change in the rules: \u201cThe COVID restrictions relaxing in the UK comes as a great relief, even so close to start day. It is symbolic of a cross-Channel handshake, a coming-together of English and French competitors in a great sports event.
\n\u201cIt will definitely make the race more enjoyable for the crews \u2013 overseas crews can now stop in Cowes just before the start and we are expecting a greater portion of the fleet to stop in Cherbourg.
\n\u201cIt means we can achieve our vision for the Cherbourg Race Village with English competitors finishing and enjoying all the festivities there, which is a key part of this event.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Rolex Fastnet Race fleet streaming out of the Solent: French crews will now be able to touch land before the start \u00a9 Kurt Arrigo\/Rolex<\/p>\n
For the first time in its 96 years, the Rolex Fastnet Race will finish in Cherbourg where local government including the City of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, the Communaut\u00e9 d\u2019agglom\u00e9ration du Cotentin, the Conseil d\u00e9partemental de la Manche\u202fand R\u00e9gion Normandie have agreed to support the finishes of the next two editions.
\nThe Rolex Fastnet Race finish has been publicised extensively throughout France and the Normandy region. Sailing fans are expected to visit Cherbourg-Octeville where the boats are due to arrive from the evening of Monday 9th August and on for the rest of the week\u00a0to see top French ocean racing boats, including the giant Ultime trimarans, IMOCAs and Class 40s.
\n\u201cAlready we are getting inundated by members of the public wanting to know about the race,\u201d says Chris Stone.
\n\u201cThe race village in Cherbourg will open this Saturday, the day before the start. We have got a full kids entertainment program with the help from the local sailing school. There\u2019s an outdoor cinema, plus a live entertainment schedule throughout the coming week culminating in a flyover by the Patrouille de France [French equivalent of the Red Arrows at 1700 on Friday 13th August] and then the prizegiving on the Saturday [1700 CEST 14th August].
\n\u201cThere is an enormous crew bar, endless eating options with lots of local produce including cidre and fromage.\u201d
\nBritish crews wishing to disembark in Cherbourg can hand over their personal bags and spare sails to the Sevenstar baggage transportation service from Hamble Yacht Services on Saturday afternoon and from Cowes Yacht Haven on the morning of Sunday 8. For a small fee, bags are transported effortlessly to the Race Village in Cherbourg where crews can get their dry clothes.
\nUnfortunately for British crews arriving in France where not everyone is double vaccinated, France still requires unvaccinated UK visitors to self-isolate. \u201cThis is clearly not what we wanted for our unvaccinated competitors, however French Customs officials remain happy for those unvaccinated crews to remain on their boats in the marina,\u201d comments Chris Stone.
\nThe message for British crew considering stopping in Cherbourg is, according to Chris Stone:\u00a0\u201cBring your passport and your proof of vaccination. It is okay to bring your boat in and there is space in the marina for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fastnet travel rules: RORC guidance to competitors
\n\u2022 Competitors who are double vaccinated entering the UK from France will no longer have to quarantine. Latest regulations and requirements can be found on the UK government website at:\u00a0https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england
\n\u2022 British participants wishing to enter France at the finish must have their passport, and prior to the start of the race should download their proof of vaccination (from the NHS app) and print out, complete and sign the following declaration:
\nhttps:\/\/www.interieur.gouv.fr\/content\/download\/126185\/1009076\/file\/2021-02-04-attestation-de-deplacement-vers-la-france-metropolitaine-depuis-un-pays-exterieur-a-l-espace-europeen-pour-les-ressortissants-de-pays-tiers-version-anglaise.docx
\n\u2022 Follow the race on yachtingworld.com
\n\u2022 Further information see\u00a0www.rolexfastnetrace.com<\/p>\n
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The post Last minute travel rule change means Fastnet competitors can now enter Cowes and Cherbourg appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Last night’s travel rules announcement means Fastnet Race competitors now have more options to stop in the start and finish ports of Cowes and Cherbourg.With last night\u2019s announcement by the British government that restrictions would be eased for visitors from … <\/p>\n