SUTTON Harbour will once again boast a festival feel this summer when it stages the finish of the 2009 Rolex Fastnet Race.

Organised as part of the Plymouth Summer Festival, the race's winners will berth in the heart of the Barbican from August 11 onwards.

The Rolex Fastnet Race, which is organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, will start on Sunday August 9, just off Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

Around 300 vessels will compete the gruelling 608 nautical-mile offshore race west down the Solent, out through the Needles, past the major south coast headlands to round the famous Fastnet rock before returning via the Isles of Scilly to the finishing line at Plymouth Breakwater.

Once the yachts arrive in Plymouth, the public will be able to get up close to the yachts.

Mark Brimacombe, Sutton Harbour's marina manager, said: "We're delighted that The Royal Ocean Racing Club has selected Sutton Harbour Marina to host the finish of the 2009 Rolex Fastnet Race.

"We're looking forward to offering competitors a very warm welcome with our first class facilities and excellent access to local restaurants, bars and shops to help them relax and unwind after the event.

"Events like the 2009 Rolex Fastnet Race will no doubt play and important role in attracting visitors to Plymouth and provide a valuable boost to local businesses during these tough economic times."

Eddie Warden Owen, chief executive of the Royal Ocean Racing Club, added: "The Rolex Fastnet Race is famous throughout the world as one of the offshore classic races.

"Plymouth has been an integral part of this race since its inception and it is essential that when the crews finish they are made welcome and given the best opportunity to celebrate their success in completing the challenging course.

"Sutton Harbour's location in The Barbican offers this possibility.

"Berthing the boats in the heart of this historic port city also gives the public an opportunity to understand better what the race is all about."

While the first Fastnet race in 1925 involved just seven yachts, the race is now so popular the Royal Ocean Racing Club has taken the unprecedented step this year of closing the entry list three months ahead of the date set in the Notice of Race.

The Rolex Fastnet Race attracts every type of sailor and boat from across the globe, from family owned and crewed cruisers to seasoned sailing champions competitors will face a true test of physical and mental endurance.

For more information on the 2009 Rolex Fastnet Race visit www.fastnetrorc.org.