Fastnet Yacht Race. News from the RORC Offshore Race Event

Record-holder: the 1926-vintage 70ft Fife cutter Hallowe'en, syndicate-owned at the Royal Irish YC, set the first significant Fastnet Race record in 1926 – Hallowe'en's time stood for thirteen years through ten races

Would the REAL Fastnet Race Course Records Please Stand Up & Salute Like Everyone Else……

7th April 2021 Fastnet

Well done to the MOD 70 PowerPlay on almost managing to make the 24 hours for a Fastnet Race course finishing at Plymouth. But we'd suggest in all modesty (we're tops for it) that what they were sailing was NOT…

MOD 70 PowerPlay led by Peter Cunningham starts the world record attempt for the Fastnet Course

MOD70 Trimaran PowerPlay Breaks Original Fastnet Course Speed Record

7th April 2021 Fastnet

MOD70 Trimaran PowerPlay, led by Peter Cunningham and skippered by Ned Collier Wakefield, has completed the original Fastnet Course of 595 nautical miles in a new world record of 25hrs 04mins 18secs. *Subject to ratification by the World Sailing Speed…

Rounding the Fastnet Rock: Cherbourg-based Alexis Loison and Jean Pierre Kelbert on JPK 10.30 Léon - back this year to defend their Two Handed title

Fastnet Race Two-Handed Fleet Jumps To 89 Yachts

30th March 2021 Fastnet

Doublehanded offshore racing had been gaining popularity with the Rolex Fastnet Race’s IRC Two Handed class almost doubling in size between 2009 and 2019. But for this year’s edition of the world’s largest offshore yacht race its entry has soared…

The oldest boat in the Rolex Fastnet Race - the 1939 Amokura will be raced two-handed by owner Paul Moxon who will also sail in June's Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race

Fastnet Race Classic Yacht Entries Have Some Ancient Associations with World’s Largest Offshore Fixture

16th March 2021 Fastnet

As the Rolex Fastnet Race approaches its 50th edition and the 100th anniversary of the Royal Ocean Racing Club soon after so we can expect to see more classic yachts taking part with ancient associations to what has grown into the…

Past winners return to challenge for the 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race, including 2017 overall winner, Didier Gaudoux with his JND39 Lann Ael 2

Fastnet Race IRC Winners Return for New 2021 Course to Cherbourg

10th February 2021 Fastnet

With the Rolex Fastnet Race having so many boats, so many classes and a 96-year history, it is inevitable that many past winners, be they of line honours, individual classes or of the main IRC overall prize, the Fastnet Challenge…

Paul O'Higgins' champion JPK 10.80 Rockabill VI in action off the West Cork coast in Calves Week. She has raced round or past the Fastnet Rock several times in other events, but this year the star Dun Laoghaire boat will be doing the Rolex Fastnet Race itself for the first time

Record Fastnet Race Challenge Taken Up By Ten Irish Boats

21st January 2021 Fastnet

If anyone in the Royal Ocean Racing Club's suite of race offices was bothered by the thought that the 2021 change of course in the club's core event, the biennial Fastnet Race, was going to have a detrimental effect on…

A massive fleet make their way out of the Solent in the 2019 Rolex Fastnet Race

Fastnet Race Entry Numbers Smash All Records

12th January 2021 Fastnet

Like tickets to Glastonbury, registration opened on the dot of 1000 UTC today for this summer’s Rolex Fastnet Race and speedily sold out. Within an hour an unprecedented 400 boats had entered the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s flagship event, which…

On 8 August 2021, the Rolex Fastnet Race will set sail from Cowes bound for the Fastnet Rock

One Week to Go to 2021 Fastnet Race Entry

5th January 2021 Fastnet

Registration for the 49th Rolex Fastnet Race begins at 1000 UTC on Tuesday 12th January 2021. The RORC Race Team are concerned there will be a repeat of the 2019 rush to enter when the race became oversubscribed in less than five…

Nieulargo is aiming for the Dun Laoghaire Dingle Race and Fastnet Race in 2021

Royal Cork's Fastnet 450 Race Winner 'Nieulargo' Eyes 2021 Dun Laoghaire-Dingle & Fastnet Races

24th December 2020 SCORA

Royal Cork Yacht Club 2020 winner Nieulargo will set its sights offshore again in 2021 as the family-based Grand Soleil 40 aims for both of next year's big offshore fixtures on the Irish coast; next June's Dun Laoghaire Dingle Race…

Registration Opens for 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race in January

15th December 2020 Fastnet

With less than one month to go until entry opens for the 49th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race, the RORC Race Team are concerned there will be a repeat of the 2019 rush to enter when the race became…

Will Ireland's Fastnet Rock be the only Great Unchangeable? If the Royal Ocean Racing Club Executive's decision of a year ago to change the finish for the next two Fastnet Races in 2021 and 2023 to Cherbourg is upheld at an EGM of all members on December 7th, then Irelands Fastnet Rock will be the only enduring feature of the course of a race which was first staged in 1925

Battle Royal Over the Course for the Fastnet Race

16th November 2020 RORC

It says everything about the iconic nature of the Royal Ocean Racing Club's Fastnet Race that a General Meeting about the route for the race, which should be a private matter among the admittedly many members of the RORC, has…

The new course from Cowes to Cherbourg via the Fastnet Rock will see new challenges for navigators and crews in next year's 695 nm Rolex Fastnet Race

Navigating the New 2021 Fastnet Race Course – More Reaching & a New Roll of the Dice

16th September 2020 Fastnet

Moving to Cherbourg for the finish of the Royal Ocean Racing Club's premier event, the Rolex Fastnet Race next year will see navigators and crews facing a few significant new challenges writes James Boyd Firstly the new course is 90…

Rolex Fastnet Race 2021 - With the finish in Cherbourg, more French entries are anticipated but the majority are still likely to be from the UK

49th Rolex Fastnet Race - One Year to Go!

6th August 2020 Fastnet

In one year’s time, a new era will begin for the world’s largest offshore yacht race. On 8 August 2021, the Rolex Fastnet Race will set sail from Cowes bound for the Fastnet Rock as usual, but then, once the…

The new Fastnet Race Virtual race starts on August 3rd

New Fastnet 2021 Race Course Gets Dry Run With Virtual Regatta

27th July 2020 Esailing

Just over a year out from the August 2021 start of the race proper, potential competitors, armchair sailors and gamer enthusiasts from all over the world will have the opportunity to try their hand at competing on the new course…

Northern Ireland Navigator Ian Moore on The New Rolex Fastnet Race Course

26th May 2020 Northern Ireland Waters

One big overall win has eluded Northern Ireland navigator Ian Moore - in nine attempts at the Rolex Fastnet Race Moore’s team has made the podium twice but failed to win the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s flagship race. Ian is fascinated…

Monday 10th August 1987, and the Dubois 40 Irish Independent arrives at the Fastnet Rock, on her way to winning the Fastnet Race overall, and becoming top scorer for Ireland in the Admiral’s Cup.

The Fastnet Race Centenary is in Five Years – How Well Has Ireland Scored Since 1925?

25th April 2020 ISORA

In 2025, the Centenary of the RORC Fastnet Race – arguably the world’s most famous offshore challenge – will be sailed. Until recently, it would have seemed a bit odd to be focusing on a Centenary all of five years…

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RORC Fastnet Race

This race is both a blue riband international yachting fixture and a biennial offshore pilgrimage that attracts crews from all walks of life:- from aspiring sailors to professional crews; all ages and all professions. Some are racing for charity, others for a personal challenge.

For the world's top professional sailors, it is a 'must-do' race. For some, it will be their first-ever race, and for others, something they have competed in for over 50 years! The race attracts the most diverse fleet of yachts, from beautiful classic yachts to some of the fastest racing machines on the planet – and everything in between.

The testing course passes eight famous landmarks along the route: The Needles, Portland Bill, Start Point, the Lizard, Land’s End, the Fastnet Rock, Bishop’s Rock off the Scillies and Plymouth breakwater (now Cherbourg for 2021 and 2023). After the start in Cowes, the fleet heads westward down The Solent, before exiting into the English Channel at Hurst Castle. The finish for 2021 is in Cherbourg via the Fastnet Rock, off the southern tip of Ireland.

The leg across the Celtic Sea to (and from) the Fastnet Rock is known to be unpredictable and challenging. The competitors are exposed to fast-moving Atlantic weather systems and the fleet often encounter tough conditions
Flawless decision-making, determination and total commitment are the essential requirements. Crews have to manage and anticipate the changing tidal and meteorological conditions imposed by the complex course
The symbol of the race is the Fastnet Rock, located off the southern coast of Ireland. Also known as the Teardrop of Ireland, the Rock marks an evocative turning point in the challenging race
Once sailors reach the Fastnet Rock, they are well over halfway to the finish in Cherbourg.

Fastnet Race - FAQs

When is the next Fastnet Race?

The 49th edition of the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race will start from the Royal Yacht Squadron line in Cowes, UK on Sunday 8th August 2021.

What's new about the 2021 Fastnet Race?

The next two editions of the race in 2021 and 2023 will finish in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin at the head of the Normandy peninsula, France

What will the fleet size be for the 2021 Fastnet Race?

Over 300. A record fleet is once again anticipated for the world's largest offshore yacht race.

Who races in the Fastnet Race?

The international fleet attracts both enthusiastic amateur, the seasoned offshore racer, as well as out-and-out professionals from all corners of the world.

What types of boats compete in the Fastnet Race?

Boats of all shapes, sizes and age take part in this historic race, from 9m-34m (30-110ft) – and everything in between.

What is the multihull Fastnet Race record?

The Fastnet Race multihull course record is: 1 day 4 hours 2 minutes and 26 seconds (2019, Ultim Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, Franck Cammas / Charles Caudrelier)

What is the monohull Fastnet Race record?

The Fastnet Race monohull course record is: 1 day, 18 hours, 39 minutes (2011, Volvo 70, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing).

Who won the 2019 Fastnet Race?

David and Peter Askew's American VO70 Wizard won the 2019 Rolex Fastnet Race, claiming the Fastnet Challenge Cup for 1st in IRC Overall.

How long has Rolex sponsored the Fastnet Race?

Rolex SA has been a longstanding sponsor of the race since 2001.

When was the first Fastnet Race held?

The first race was in 1925 with 7 boats. The Royal Ocean Racing Club was set up as a result.

What boat was the winner of the first Fastnet Race?

The winner of the first Fastnet Race was the former pilot cutter Jolie Brise, a boat that is still sailing today.

Was there an Irish entry in the first Fastnet Race?

Cork sailor Henry P F Donegan (1870-1940), who gave his total support for the Fastnet Race from its inception in 1925 and competed in the inaugural race in his 43ft cutter Gull from Cork.

Has Ireland every won the Fastnet Race?

Ireland has won the Fastnet Race twice. In 1987 the Dubois 40 Irish Independent won the Fastnet Race overall for the first time and then in 2007 – all of twenty years after Irish Independent’s win – Ireland secured the overall win again this time thanks to Ger O’Rourke’s Cookson 50 Chieftain from the Royal Western Yacht Club of Ireland in Kilrush.

©Afloat 2020

Fastnet Race 2021 Date

The 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race will start on Sunday 8th August 2021.

At A Glance – Fastnet Race

The world's largest offshore yacht race
The biennial race is 605 nautical miles - Cowes, Fastnet Rock, Plymouth
A fleet of over 400 yachts regularly will take part
The international fleet is made up of over 26 countries
Multihull course record: 1 day, 8 hours, 48 minutes (2011, Banque Populaire V)
Monohull course record: 1 day, 18 hours, 39 minutes (2011, Volvo 70, Abu Dhabi)
Largest IRC Rated boat is the 100ft (30.48m) Scallywag 100 (HKG)
Some of the Smallest boats in the fleet are 30 footers
Rolex SA has been a longstanding sponsor of the race since 2001
The first race was in 1925 with 7 boats. The Royal Ocean Racing Club was set up as a result