Maxi Multilhulls Have Finished Centenary Fastnet While Most of Fleet Have Still to Reach the Rock

28th July 2025

WM Nixon

Line honours winner SVR Lazartigue arrives into Cherbourg at the finish of the 2025 Rolex Fastnet race Credit: Paul Wyeth

08:00 hrs Monday: The leading monohull in the Rolex Centenary Fastnet Race, the 100ft SHK Scallywag (Hong Kong) finally reached the Fastnet at 23:01 hrs last night (Monday), closely followed by Black Jack 100 and the similarly-sized Leopard. With a bit more bite to the nor'west breeze, they were soon making between 14 and 20 knots towards the Bishop Rock, the westerly outlier of the Isles of Scilly, with Black Jack snapping at Scallywag's heels and Leopard two miles further astern.

The 100ft SHK Scallywag (Hong Kong) Photo: Paul Wyeth

Donaghdee's Oisin McClelland and Cork Harbour's Tom McWilliam are on the crew of the 100ft Leopard in the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race Photo: James Tomlinson

The Battle of the Vintage Volvo 70s Pyewacket and Tschuss 2 took an interesting turn yesterday evening, as the former allowed the Johnny Mordaunt co-skippered Tschuss to take a stab on port tack uncovered, but after two hours, Tschuss came across to rejoin Pyewacket. She was now two miles astern, but made good this deficiency on the final long port-tack haul to The Rock, and they rounded close together at 01:15 hrs this morning, with Pyewacket getting marginally ahead on the long run.

SECOND OVERALL IN FLEET OF 444 BOATS

The Johnny Mordaunt co-skippered Tschuss Photo: Carlo Borlenghi

The Australian Fastnet Race leader, the Swan 53 Bedouin Photo: Paul Wyeth

However, as Tschuss 2 rates only 1.617 to the 1.722 of Pyewacket, the former has never been toppled from the overall lead in IRC Super Zero, and currently she is also second overall on IRC for the entire 444 boat fleet, the lead being held at the moment at ten minutes in front of Tschuss 2 by the Australian Swan 53 Bedouin, currently midway between Scilly and Fastnet.

Jeremie Beyou's Charal, with Ireland's Tom Dolan onboard Photo: Rick Tomlinson

In the IMOCAs, Jeremie Beyou's Charal, with Ireland's Tom Dolan on the strength, seemed to find that the sea condition didn't suit her scow configuration, and she'd slipped to second in IMOCA when round the Rock at 02:38 this morning (Monday), but on the run they've enough wind to activate the foils, and are now making 23-25 knots

ADMIRAL'S CUP

The Botin 56 Black Pearl sailing for the New York YC with Dun Laoghaire's Tim Goodbody Jnr in the crew Photo: Rick Tomlinson

The biggest boat in the Admiral's Cup fleet, the Botin 56 Black Pearl sailing for the New York YC with Dun Laoghaire's Tim Goodbody Jnr in the crew, was first of the AC fleet round the Fastnet at 07:00 this morning, but she was only narrowly ahead of a closely-packed trio of AC Class 1 boats, and on corrected time slips back to third, with the class lead being held by Hong Kong's Beau Geste with Jolt 3 second and Black Pearl third as they run towards the distant Bishop.

Ireland's Admiral's Cup "big boat," the Cookson 50 Privateer, ranks tenth in IRC 1. Photo: James Tomlinson

AC2 still has Italy's JPK 1180 Django JPK in the lead with Jolt 6 second, Garm third and the Royal Irish YC Sunrise IV fourth, but all still have many miles to sail to the Rock, and thus Beau Geste is also the overall leader, while Ireland's "big boat", the Cookson 50 Privateer, is tenth in IRC 1

AURELIA DOES WELL

Chris & Patanne Power Smith's J/122 Aurelia (Royal St George YC) performed well after navigating the Land's End Eastern passage and are currently 20th overall and 4th in IRC2 Photo: Afloat

In the total IRC fleet, even as we write, Tschuss 2 has re-taken the overall lead while Beau Geste is fifth overall and still leading Admiral's Cup. Chris & Patanne Power Smith's J/122 Aurelia (Royal St George YC) did well out of going through the Land's End Eastern passage, and are 20th overall and 4th in IRC2, while Mike O'Donnell's J/121 Darkwood is 9th in IRC 1 and 40th overall.

MIXED FORTUNES FOR WOMEN SAILORS

Nicole Hemeryck from National YC is skippering the all-female crew on the Sunfast 3600 RORC Griffin Photo: Paul Wyeth

Pamela Lee of Greystones continues her steadily improving progress in Class40 with #Empowerher, and is now tenth in the 24-strong class, while the National YC's Nicole Hemeryck, skippering the all-female crew on the Sunfast 3600 RORC Griffin, has slipped to mid-fleet in IRC3.

GIANT MULTIHULLS ALREADY FINISHED

After a thrilling race, the Maxi Banque Populaire XI crossed the finish line early Monday morning at 6:23 a.m. After 1 day, 18 hours, and 3 minutes of racing, the crew led by Armel Le Cléac'h finished 45 minutes behind the winner (SVR-Lazartigue) Photo: Mark Lloyd

All still have a long way to sail, but at the front of the fleet among the giant multi-hulls, it's all already done and dusted, with line honours winner LVR Lazartique into Cherbourg at 04:38 this morning, while Banque Populaire came in at 05:23

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

Fastnet Race Live Tracker 2025

Track the progress of the 2025 Fastnet Yacht Race 460 boat fleet on the live tracker above

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

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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.