Fastnet Yacht Race. News from the RORC Offshore Race Event

Ireland’s Islands & Rocks Are Made To Race Round

30th May 2026 W M Nixon

The preliminary instructions suggest that the race from Kinsale would be round either the faraway Inishtearaght on the edge of the Blaskets, or the less distant but equally majestic Skellig Michael. It’s an opening salvo that gives a sense of…

Ted Turner Remembered as Offshore Racing Trailblazer

16th May 2026 America's Cup

The spectacular life and high-achieving times of Ted Turner (1938-2026) have become deeply interwoven with the folklore of international sailing and the tales of the global media and communications industry. So much so, in fact, that after his death at…

Ted Turner 1938-2026

6th May 2026 America's Cup

Ted Turner, legendary American communications and business pioneer, and arguably the most accomplished international yachtsman of the 20th Century, has died at the age of 87. His extraordinary life covered a very wide range of active interests. But for the…

Richard Matthews' Carkeek 52 Oystercatcher XXXV approaching the Fastnet Rock during his 26th sailing of the biennial offshore classic

Fastnet Race Centenary Has Deeper Meaning Than Basic Results

9th August 2025 W M Nixon

The world of sailing is moving on so rapidly at this time of the year that the myriad of useful experiences from the Centenary Fastnet have been warehoused by most for the time being, and the focus is on their…

Tom Kneen. The unusual spelling of his name suggests that somewhere in the distant past, an ancestor came from the Isle of Man

Tom Kneen of the Royal Irish YC is "Sailor of the Month (Offshore)" for July

1st August 2025 Sailor of the Month

The Centenary Rolex Fastnet Race,with its 441-strong fleet, has been a complete eye-opener for most offshore sailors. It indicated that, for now at least, the performance focus has shifted decisively to France and the Western Mediterranean. Thus, although it was…

The Swan 53 Bedouin (AUS) claimed first place in IRC One of the Rolex Fastnet Race

Goddard’s Swan 53 'Bedouin' Claims IRC One Victory at the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race

30th July 2025 Fastnet

Led by Linda Goddard, the Swan 53 Bedouin (AUS) claimed first place in IRC One of the Rolex Fastnet Race, surpassing a highly competitive fleet of 50–60 foot boats. Racing alongside her daughters and close crew, Goddard’s effort blended Corinthian…

Doublehanded sailors Alexis Loisson and owner-builder Jean-Pierre Kelbert of Lorient sailed Leon to become the overall winners of the Centenary Fastnet Race

France Dominates Rolex Centenary Fastnet Race as Leon is a Winner for JPK

30th July 2025 Fastnet

11.45hrs Wednesday: At 11.22 hrs this (Wednesday) morning, the French JPK 1050 Leon crossed the finish line at Cherbourg in the Centenary Fastnet Race. Racing in the Two-handed Division with noted solo star Alexis Loisson and owner-builder Jean-Pierre Kelbert of…

The Botin 56 Black Pearl (New York YC), the largest boat in the Admiral's Cup fleet, completed her expected first-to-finish run in Cherbourg on Tuesday at 6:54 p.m. local time

Black Pearl for New York YC is First Admiral's Cup Boat To Finish Centenary Fastnet Race

30th July 2025 Fastnet

09:00 hrs Wednesday: The Botin 56 Black Pearl (New York YC), largest of the Admiral's Cup fleet, made her expected first-to-finish appearance on the Fastnet Race line in Cherbourg yesterday (Tuesday) evening at 18:54 hrs local time. But her crew…

Tom Dolan (left) on the podium at the Rolex Fastnet Race, securing a second place finish in the IMOCA 60 class on Charal

Tom Dolan Secures Second Place in the IMOCA 60 Class at the Fastnet Race

30th July 2025 Fastnet

Irish Figaro champion solo sailor Tom Dolan secured second place in the IMOCA 60 class at the Rolex Fastnet Race's centenary edition. Dolan and the Team Charal crew raced closely with the victor Association Petits Princes–Quéguiner. The battle continued from…

Callisto for New Zealand with Carrickfergus Navigator Ian Moore onboard are setting the pace in the closing stages of the Rolex Fastnet Race

Strengthening Wind Should Favour Smaller Admirals Cup Boats

29th July 2025 Fastnet

18:00 hrs Tuesday: The freshening of the northwest winds this evening as the bulk of the fleet close towards the finish of the Centenary Rolex Fastnet Race at Cherbourg should in theory favour the smaller Admiral's Cup Class 2 boats…

Conor Doyle's XP50 Freya from Kinsale competing in the 51st Fastnet Race

Conor Doyle "in Good Form" After Being Airlifted From Yacht Freya in Fastnet Race

29th July 2025 Fastnet

Cork offshore racer Conor Doyle is reported to be "in good form" after being airlifted from Freya during the Rolex Fastnet Race. A RORC Fastnet spokesperson indicated that only limited information is currently available regarding the incident. But Kinsale Yacht Club…

It's now possible that in navigating the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's AC2 boat Callisto (Jim Murray), Carrickfergus's Ian Moore will have guided the overall winner of both the Channel Race and the Fastnet Race in this RORC Centenary year

Centenary Fastnet and Revived Admiral's Cup Make For Multiple Mindsets

29th July 2025 Fastnet

12:30hrs: Tuesday: When you've more than 450 boats with a total of thousands of crew racing the same 695-mile Fastnet course, impressions of the experience are bound to vary. Those accustomed to sailing in these latitudes and across the eastern…

Remon Vos’ Black Jack 100 crew celebrates Line Honours victory in the Rolex Fastnet Race with Ireland's Shane Hughes pictured second row, fifth from left

Ireland's Shane Hughes on Black Jack 100 Takes Fastnet Race Monohull Line Honours

29th July 2025 Fastnet

Remon Vos’ RP100 Black Jack 100, skippered by Tristan Le Brun, has taken Monohull Line Honours in the centenary edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race. The sleek 100-footer and her 19 crew, including North Sails Ireland sailmaker Shane Hughes, crossed…

Ron O’Hanley’s Cookson 50 Privateer (RIYC) at the Fastnet Rock

Dutch Team ROST Van Uden Claims AC1 Lead in Fastnet Race

29th July 2025 Admiral’s Cup

AC1 update 09:00 BST 29 July 2025: Stefan Jentzsch’s Botin 56 Black Pearl (NYYC) leads the Admiral's Cup 1 fleet on the water with 124nm to go. The immediate chasing pack on the same line and port gybe is Beau…

The hundred-footer Black Jack (Remon Vos), with Ireland's Shane Hughes of North Sails Wicklow on the crew, crosses the line in Cherbourg to win line honours in the 2025 Fastnet Race

"Irish Boat" Tschuss Saves Time On Pyewacket to Take Overall Lead and Win Class Super Zero at Cherbourg In Centenary Fastnet

29th July 2025 Fastnet

09:00 hrs Tuesday: The hundred footer Black Jack (Remon Vos), with Ireland's Shane Hughes of North Sails Wicklow on the crew, fulfilled our suggestion of yesterday evening that she was shaping up nicely for the final approach to the Cherbourg…

With 140 miles to go, James Murray's GP42 Callisto of New Zealand (with the presence of ace international navigator Ian Moore of Carrickfergus on board) is in the hunt for the overall IRC title in the 51st Fastnet Race

Fastnet Race Overall: Tschuss Holds the Lead But Jolt 6 and Callisto Lead Chase

29th July 2025 Fastnet

Tuesday 7 am – Jolt 6 and Callisto are racing close together with 140 miles to Cherbourg. Can they close the gap downwind against clubhouse leaders? As everyone knows, these last hours of what has become a windward-leeward 51st Fastnet Race…

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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 2025 Date

The 2025 51st Rolex Fastnet Race will start from the Royal Yacht Squadron line Saturday, 26th July 2025, prior to the annual Cowes Week festivities.

At A Glance – Fastnet Race

The world's largest offshore yacht race
The biennial race is 695 nautical miles - Cowes, Fastnet Rock, Cherbourg
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.