Hundreds of yachts set off from Cowes in the 50th edition of the Fastnet Race which was first sailed in 1925 by seven boats.

The wind was already around force 67, gusting 8, when the multihulls went through the Hurst narrows and rose to 8 gusting 9 when the smaller yachts arrived. Coupled with a change in the tide direction, so having windovertide, this resulted in some lively conditions after 3pm (8 minutes on the video).

These were tough conditions for the smaller boats and some can be seen returning to the Solent in the video. Pip Hare's 'Medallia' is also seen returning whilst apparently having difficulty with a furler but they were shortly able to head west once more.

Yachts seen in this video include:
Banque Populaire
Lazartigue
Solidaires En Peloton
Komifo Ocean Fifty 29
FRA 35
FRA 04
FRA 11
Charal
Apivia por MACIF
For People
FRA 17
Bureau Vallee
FRA 53
Morpheus 2199
Fortinet
Medallia
FRA 888
SUI 49
Teamwork.net
Monnoyeur
Lazare
ITA 34
CAN 80
La Mie Caline
Foussier
Hublot
FRA 71
FRA 22
NED 1
Wind Whisper
FRA 177
GBR 2747R
SUI 186
FRA 8668
FRA 115
NED 61137
FRA 185
NOR 15731
GBR 809
GBR 597R
GBR 1859L
GBR 8874R Tall Ships Youth Trust
GBR 4147L Zada
FRA 53239
GBR 6779R
IRL 1990
FRA 36736
GBR 3759L Jelenko