Irish sailor Tom Dolan returns to the Rolex Fastnet Race aboard the IMOCA Charal with renowned French sailor Jérémie Beyou.
On Saturday, July 26, over 400 boats will set sail from Cowes, UK. The 695-nautical-mile course leads to the Fastnet Rock and finishes in Cherbourg, France. This race is particularly meaningful for Dolan as it brings him back to the waters of West Cork.
Dolan noted, "It’s a dream come true to be sailing around the Fastnet in one of the fastest monohulls in the fleet." He expressed optimism about the team’s performance, especially with the upwind conditions favouring their boat.
Based in Brittany, Dolan has built a solid reputation in the competitive French solo sailing scene. He has notably succeeded in events like the Figaro.
For this Fastnet edition, Dolan and Beyou will race with much of the crew from the Course des Caps, including Lou Berthomé and Morgan Lagravière, a former Fastnet winner. The team has gained valuable local knowledge from extensive racing along the south coast of England and the north coast of France.
Dolan and Beyou raced around the Fastnet Rock during the Course des Caps race in very light winds
Dolan is also preparing to defend his title in the Solitaire du Figaro, which similarly rounds Fastnet Rock. For him, the Fastnet serves as a significant link between his past, present, and future in sailing.
