Cherbourg-en-Cotentin to Host Fastnet Race Finish in 2025 and 2027

9th September 2024

Cherbourg-en-Cotentin will continue to host the finish of the legendary Rolex Fastnet Race Credit: Arthur Daniel

The Royal Ocean Racing Club has announced that for 2025 and 2027, the port town of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin will continue to host the finish of the famous biennial Rolex Fastnet Race. The 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race will be held during the Club’s centenary year when another record entry is expected.

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

From seven participants in its first edition in 1925, the 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race attracted a record 430 boats. For the next edition, the RORC is planning for an even larger international fleet. Entries for the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race are expected to be even higher due to the 100th anniversary of the Royal Ocean Racing Club and the return of the Admiral’s Cup.

Since 2021, the Rolex Fastnet Race finish has been in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin due to the port’s outstanding facilities, which can accommodate the world-record fleet. The Rolex Fastnet Race has the support of the City, the Communauté d’Agglomération du Cotentin, and the Département de la Manche & Région Normandie. Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is one of France’s great Channel ports, closely linked to naval history and transatlantic adventures, and the Cotentin coast is home to many prominent water sports events.

“Continuing to bring the Rolex Fastnet Race finish to Cherbourg retains the established attractions of the marine facilities, the town and the surrounding Cotentin peninsula as part of the legendary offshore race,” commented RORC Commodore Deb Fish. “The Race Village in Cherbourg will once again provide superb modern facilities for competitors and play host to thousands of race fans from all over the world.”

"The Normandy Region is delighted to announce the arrival of the 2025 and 2027 editions of the Rolex Fastnet Race in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. It's a beautiful showcase for Normandy, which is increasingly establishing itself each year as a region of sailing, open to the sea. We are particularly proud to support the organisation of this race, which brings together the biggest names in sailing and contributes to the promotion of this sector where the Region realises over 6 million Euros each year,” commented Hervé Morin, President of Région Normandie.

In Cherbourg following the finish of the Lewmar Cherbourg Race from Cowes: Deb Fish - RORC Commodore, Manuela Mahler - President of the Association Arrivée Fastnet Cherbourg, Steve Cole - RFR Race Director. Photo: RORC

Published in Fastnet

Fastnet Race Live Tracker 2023

Track the progress of the 2023 Fastnet Yacht Race fleet on the live tracker above

The 50th edition of the 700-mile race organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club starts from Cowes, Isle of Wight, on Saturday, 22nd July.

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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.

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At A Glance – Fastnet Race