One crew evacuated before boat sinks as more than 80 vessels abandon world’s largest offshore race

Dozens of yachts have been forced to retire from the world’s largest offshore race due to “brutal” gale-force conditions in the Channel, with other vessels forced to seek shelter and one believed to have sunk.

Strong winds and torrential rain affected the 50th edition of the Rolex Fastnet race, which has been organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club since 1925 and takes place every two years. This year’s event set a new record of 430 yachts, surpassing the 388 that took part in 2019.