"Irish Boat" Tschuss Saves Time On Pyewacket to Take Overall Lead and Win Class Super Zero at Cherbourg In Centenary Fastnet

29th July 2025

WM Nixon

The hundred-footer Black Jack (Remon Vos), with Ireland's Shane Hughes of North Sails Wicklow on the crew, crosses the line in Cherbourg to win line honours in the 2025 Fastnet Race Credit: Paul Wyeth

09:00 hrs Tuesday: The hundred footer Black Jack (Remon Vos), with Ireland's Shane Hughes of North Sails Wicklow on the crew, fulfilled our suggestion of yesterday evening that she was shaping up nicely for the final approach to the Cherbourg finish by taking Monohull Line Honours in the Rolex Centenary Fastnet Race at 21 minutes after midnight this (Tuesday) morning.

Fastnet 2025 race monohull line honours winner - North Sails Ireland sailmaker Shane Hughes (second row, fifth from left) and the Black Jack 100 crew Photo: Paul Wyeth

With the all-pervasive northwest breeze in locally-muted form, next in neck-and-neck an hour later were the two other hundred footers, SHK Scallywag at 01:19 and Leopard 3 at 01:24. They were followed 23 minutes later by Roy Disney's Open Volvo Pyewacket, where the recent major up-grading of the downwind performance, albeit at a penalty of significantly upping the rating, seemed to have done the business.

Pyewacket as she had spent the time on the long run from The Rock to Cherbourg getting ahead of the Christian Zugler/Johnny Mordaunt Volvo 70 Tschuss 2, and then staying ahead and widening the gap to lead on handicap too.

Unassailably first in Class Super Zero - Johnny Mordaunt and Nin O'Leary and owner Christian Zugler and their shipmates on Tschuss 2 Photo: Carlo Borlenghi

Thus it was nail-biting stuff as Schuss ran through the night and into the dawn towards the finish. Yet even though it was 05:11 hrs as she finished her fourth major of 2025, the Pyewacket up-grade rating penalty was just too much for the Disney boat to carry, and Tschuss (rating 1.617) has for the time being corrected into the Centenary Fastnet Race IRC Overall Lead on a CT of 4d 9h 40m 15s to the 4d 10h 40m 52s of Pyewacket, rating 1.722.

It was a mighty achievement for Johnny Mordaunt and Nin O'Leary and owner Christian Zugler and their shipmates on Tschuss 2, for they gave it their all, and it worked to put them an hour ahead.

Callisto navigated by Carrickfergus's Ian Moore Photo: Rick Tomlinson

As Afloat reported earlier, no matter that the leading Admiral's Cuppers Jolt 6, and the very recovered Callisto navigated by Ian Moore, are calculated as having the potential to beat her. They're still 120 miles away, but the Old Black Bullet is serenely in Cherbourg, and unassailably first in Class Super Zero.

We'll have more details on other boats of Irish interest around noon.

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

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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.