Just one week remains to go until the all-important registration opening for the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s centenary Rolex Fastnet Race. This will occur on Wednesday, 15 January, at 1000 UTC (1100 Europe).
Those wishing to participate in the world’s largest offshore yacht race must do so via the RORC’s entry system, www.sailraceHQ.com. With the usual deluge of entries anticipated, Racing Manager of the RORC Steve Cole strongly advises those who have not used SailRaceHQ before, to set up an account within the system well before 15 January. This will dramatically reduce competitors' effort to enter the Fastnet Race, when the big day arrives.
As usual, RORC members will benefit from priority entry to the Fastnet Race and a reduced entry fee.
Reaching the Fastnet Rock is a significant moment in the Rolex Fastnet Race Photo: Daniel Forster
While the race in 2023 was the 50th edition, this year’s Fastnet Race will be special being the event’s 100th anniversary. At the finish in Plymouth of the ground-breaking event in 1925, the ‘Ocean Racing Club’, as it was first known, was set up as a club for Fastnet Race competitors, a feature that remains unchanged today with Fastnet Race participation still being the principal pathway to full membership of the Royal Ocean Racing Club.
Just seven yachts entered the first race in 1925, won by the modified Le Havre pilot cutter Jolie Brise, campaigned by the first Commodore of the Club, Lt Cdr EG Martin. Starters in the race for the first time exceeded 100 in 1963, 200 in 1967 and 300 in 1979. Recent years has continued to see participation grow with 388 entered in pre-COVID 2019 and the present record of 430 starters in 2023. In registering for the last race, 400 yachts signed up just 30 minutes after the doors opened.
The world's largest offshore race, the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race has been an established fixture on the ocean racing circuit since 1925 Photo: Kurt Arrigo
As usual, the biennial 695-mile race from Cowes to Cherbourg via the Fastnet Rock and Bishop Rock will attract the broadest range of offshore racers: from the French non-IRC classes such as Class40s, the IMOCAs currently competing in the Vendée Globe and the giant Ultime, MOD70s and Multi 50 trimarans, to the world’s largest IRC fleet. This is set to span maxi yachts to bespoke IRC racers to cruiser racers, a multitude of one-design or manufacturer classes within classes such as the various Sun Fasts, JPKs and J-Boats models, to classics and family, club and sailing school entries – all keen to be part of the RORC’s giant flagship event. “For many, it will be unfinished business after the big wind races in both 2021 and 2023, when we had a large number of retirements,” advises Steve Cole.
The 2025 race fleet will of course be strongly augmented by some of the world’s most competitive grand prix yacht racing teams, taking part in the RORC’s revitalised Admiral’s Cup.
The centenary Fastnet Race will start from Cowes on Saturday 26 July 2025 with a first warning signal at 1300. Class starts will follow at regular intervals.
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin will be the scene of a major celebration when the sailors arrive. A festive programme including concerts, catering and prize-giving ceremonies will reward the achievements of these sportsmen and women.
