John Reivers' First 40, Drop Bear
Photo: Rolex/ Daniel Forster. FSNT15df_0665. For the high res photo please contact KPMS- www.regattanews.com

The 2015 Rolex Fastnet Race fleet at the start of the race
Photo: Rolex/ Kurt Arrigo. FSNT15ka_0148. For the high res photo please contact KPMS-www.regattanews.com

The 2015 Rolex Fastnet converging at The Needles shortly after the race start
Photo: Rolex/Kurt Arrigo. FSNT15ka_0506. For the high res photo contact KPMS - www.regattanews.com

2015 Rolex Fastnet Race fleet Passing through Hurst Narrows
Photo: Rolex/ Kurt Arrigo. FSNT15ka_0458. For the high res photo please contact KPMS-www.regattanews.com

The 2015 Rolex Fastnet fleet heads into the English Channel
Photo: Rolex/ Kurt Arrigo. FSNT15ka_0709. For the high res photo please contact KPMS- www.regattanews.com

A view of the 2015 Rolex Fastnet Race fleet
Photo: Tim Wright/ http://www.photoaction.com/fas15/fas15.htm. fas15-0974

The 2015 Rolex Fastnet converging at The Needles
Photo: Rolex/ Kurt Arrigo. FSNT15ka_0619. For the high res photo please contact KPMS- www.regattanews.com

Passing Hurst Castle with the Needels in the distance
Photo: Rolex/ Kurt Arrigo. FSNT15ka_0545. For the high res photo please contact KPMS- www.regattanews.com

Portland Bill Lighthouse
Photo: Rolex/ Kurt Arrigo. FSNT15ka_2004. For the high res photo please contact KPMS- www.regattanews.com

Rambler 88, skippered by George David
Photo: Rolex/ Kurt Arrigo. FSNT15ka_2015. For the high res photo please contact KPMS- www.regattanews.com

The bow of Rambler 88 slicing through the water
Photo: Rolex/ Daniel Forster. FSNT15df_0421. For the high res photo please contact KPMS-www.regattanews.com

Canting Keel Sloop, Rambler 88, owned and skippered by George David
Photo: Rolex/ Daniel Forster. FSNT15df_0502. For the high res photo please contact KPMS-www.regattanews.com

Prima 38, Revive, owned and skippered by Paul A Farrands
Photo: Rolex/ Daniel Forster. FSNT15df_0340. For the high res photo please contact KPMS- www.regattanews.com

Sigma 38, Sam and Farr 100, Leopard
Photo: Tim Wright/ http://www.photoaction.com/fas15/fas15.htm. fas15-0441

Guns firing at the RYS startline of the Rolex Fastnet Race
Photo: Rolex/Kurt Arrigo. FSNT15ka_0111. For the high res photo please contact KPMS - http://www.regattanews.com/

The start of the Rolex Fastnet Race 2015
Photo: Rolex/Kurt Arrigo. FSNT15ka_0121. For the high res photo please contact KPMS - http://www.regattanews.com/

Each start has a 10 minute sequence with flags raised and sound signals to note the countdown to the fleet
Photo: Rolex/Kurt Arrigo. FSNT15ka_0132. For the high res photo please contact KPMS - http://www.regattanews.com/

The start of the Rolex Fastnet Race 2015
Photo: Rolex/Kurt Arrigo. FSNT15ka_0139. For the high res photo please contact KPMS - http://www.regattanews.com/

The guns at rest at the Royal Yacht Squadron
Photo: Rolex/Daniel Forster. FSNT15df_0205. For the high res photo please contact KPMS - http://www.regattanews.com/

The last start of the day, IRC Zero, CK and VO 65s
Photo: Rolex/Kurt Arrigo. FSNT15ka_0156. For the high res photo please contact KPMS - http://www.regattanews.com/

George David's Rambler 88 and Mike Slade's 100ft maxi, Leopard, racing in IRC CK
Photo: Rolex/Kurt Arrigo. FSNT15ka_0160. For the high res photo please contact KPMS - http://www.regattanews.com/

Aerial view of the fleet
Photo: Rolex/Kurt Arrigo. FSNT15ka_0148. For the high res photo please contact KPMS - http://www.regattanews.com/

View of the fleet - the largest fleet in the race's history at 356 starters
Photo: Rolex/ Kurt Arrigo. FSNT15ka_0149. For the high res photo please contact KPMS - http://www.regattanews.com/

Aerial view of the Royal Yacht Squadron
Photo: Rolex/Kurt Arrigo. FSNT15ka_0142. For the high res photo please contact KPMS - http://www.regattanews.com/

Pen Koent, First 40.7 skippered by Emmanuel le Men in IRC 3, alongside Raging Bee, Louis-Marie Dusserre's JPK 10.10
Photo: Rolex/Daniel Forster. FSNT15df_0284. For the high res photo please contact KPMS - http://www.regattanews.com/

Previous Rolex Fastnet Race winner, Night and Day, doublehanded entry by father and son, Pascal and Alexis Loison
Photo: Rolex/Daniel Forster. FSNT15df_0309. For the high res photo please contact KPMS - http://www.regattanews.com/

The guns firing from the RYS startline
Photo: Rolex/Daniel Forster. FSNT15df_0454. For the high res photo please contact KPMS - http://www.regattanews.com/

Start of the 2015 Rolex Fastnet Race
Photo: Rolex/ Kurt Arrigo. FSNT15ka_0156. For the high res photo please contact KPMS- www.regattanews.com

Grand Soleil 39, Thumper and Swan 46 Mk II, Vixen
Photo: Rolex/ Daniel Forster. FSNT15df_0660. For the high res photo please contact KPMS- www.regattanews.com