Ireland's Pet Volvo 70 Tschuss 2 Leads IRC Overall In Centenary Fastnet Race

27th July 2025

WM Nixon

The Johnny Mordaunt-skippered Tschuss 2 leads IRC Overall in the Centenary Fastnet Race Credit: Carlo Borlenghi

09:00 hrs Sunday: The southwest to west breeze that had the 450-boat Centenary Fastnet fleet continuing to beat to windward as they cleared the Solent veered to light to moderate nor'westerly late yesterday (Saturday) afternoon, enabling all boats to lay the course to Start Point and then on towards the Lizard. But it meant that as the leaders began to shape their course from the Lizard past Land's End and northwest for the Fastnet Rock, negotiating the much-unloved but very necessary TFSs (Traffic Separation Schemes) in the Isles of Scilly/Land's End area, they found themselves beating again.

Jeremy Beyou's IMOCA 60 Charal (with Ireland's Tom Dolan on board) Photo: Paul Wyeth

Leader on the water of all boats going past the Isles of Scilly at 2300 hrs Saturday was the giant Ultim 1 multihull Lazartigue, while Jeremy Beyou's IMOCA 60 Charal (with Ireland's Tom Dolan on board) was leading the monohulls, but by now well back at The Lizard despite making good 16.8 knots.

TSCHUSS/PYEWACKET BATTLE CONTINUES

The Australian-created hundred footer SHK Scallywag from Hon Kong lead the more orthodox monohulls at this 23:00 hrs, but within sight were the two Volvo 70s of Irish interest, the Johnny Mordaunt-skippered Tschuss 2 and Roy Disney's Pyewacket in a continuing boat-for-boat ding-dong, making 13 knots in the light wind and pacing with the 100 ft Leopard, which has Tom McWilliam on the strength.

Tschuss 2, with Johny Mordaunt and Nin O'Leary on the strength, leads Pyewacket past Start Point yesterday (Saturday) evening

Moving on from last night's situation, this morning at 0900 hrs finds the leading multi-hulls beating across the Celtic Sea towards the fastnet in light nor'westerlies towards The Rock, while the leading monohulls have got themselves clear of the often confused sea conditions immediately northwest of the Isles of Scilly, with Scallywag, Blackjack and Leopard now vying for the lead, though sailing at a modest ten knots, while Charal maintains the IMOCA 60 lead.

Tschuss 2 and Pyewacket are well up with them, and having made marginally swifter progress past the Isles of Scilly, Tschuss has opened out a small lead on the water, which not only keeps Pyewacket in her place, but has the Johny Mordaunt-skippered old warhorse the overall IRC leader.

ADMIRAL'S CUP

The Admiral's Cup fleet has the Monaco YC's Botin 52 two-thirds of the way from Land's End to the Isles of Scilly, leading the entire AC fleet on the water and on corrected time, with the Italian JPK 1180 second on Corrected, though she is back at the Lizard.

Royal Irish YC Admiral's Cup entry, Sunrise IV (Tom Kneen) Photo: Paul Wyeth

For the Royal Irish YC, sister-ship Sunrise IV (Tom Kneen) has been in the frame at various times while coming down Channel but currently lies 10th overall in all AC boats, with team mate Privateer, the Cookson 50, at 20th.

WOMEN SKIPPERS

Pamela Lee of Greystones' Class40 #Empowher is currently being headed off as she sails between the Lizard and the Isles of Scilly, and is making a frustrating 6.3 knots while placing 15th in class,
And Nicole Hemeryck of the National YC skippering the Sunfast 3600 RORC Griffin is midway between Start Point and The Lizard, and laying the course.

CALLING IT BY SIZE

Jim Donegan's J/109 Jalapeno from Cork Photo: Paul Wyeth

Conor Doyle's Xp50 Freya from Kinsale is in process of passing the Lizard at 7th in IRC, Chris & Patanne's J/122 Aurelia from Dun Laoghaire is 15 miles further back, and 17th in IRC 2, Mike O'Donnell's J/121 Darkwood is approaching the Lizard, 12th in IRC 1, the Murphy family's Grand Soleil Nieulargo from Cork is well on track from Start Point to the Lizard and currently a close 6th in IRC 3, Jim Donegan's J/109 Jalapeno from Cork is almost becalmed southwest f the Lizard, and has slipped back to 73rd in the huge fleet IRC 3, while the Sunfast 3300 Cinnamon Girl (Cian McCarthy and Sam Hunt, Kinsale) has had no opportunities to demonstrate her extra offwind potential, and is midway between Start Point and the Lizard, 34th in IRC 3 and 36th in IRC Two Handed.

Published in Fastnet, Royal Irish Yacht Club, Admiral’s Cup

Fastnet Race Live Tracker 2025

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Saturday 26 July – Rolex Fastnet Race (Admiral’s Cup Grand Finale)
Start: 11:20 RYS Line Cowes | Admiral’s Cup Start: 12:00

Published in Fastnet

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Fastnet Race

About The Author

WM Nixon

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William M Nixon has been writing about sailing in Ireland for many years in print and online, and his work has appeared internationally in magazines and books. His own experience ranges from club sailing to international offshore events, and he has cruised extensively under sail, often in his own boats which have ranged in size from an 11ft dinghy to a 35ft cruiser-racer. He has also been involved in the administration of several sailing organisations.

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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.