Strengthening Wind Should Favour Smaller Admirals Cup Boats

29th July 2025

WM Nixon

Callisto for New Zealand with Carrickfergus Navigator Ian Moore onboard are setting the pace in the closing stages of the Rolex Fastnet Race Credit: Rick Tomlinson

18:00 hrs Tuesday: The freshening of the northwest winds this evening as the bulk of the fleet close towards the finish of the Centenary Rolex Fastnet Race at Cherbourg should in theory favour the smaller Admiral's Cup Class 2 boats in the international inter-club 13-nation series. But in truth some of those smaller boats have been doing so well in any case that they may themselves be looking astern with mixed feelings.

New York Yacht Club's Botin 56 Black Pearl with Tim Goodbody Jnr of Dun Laoghaire onboard and accompanying dolphins off the Fastnet Rock Photo: Carlo Borlenghi

In the lead on the water with 12 miles to go and currently making just 8.8 knots is the New York Yacht Club's Botin 56 Black Pearl, whose crew includes Tim Goodbody Jnr of Dun Laoghaire. Ten miles astern of her is Royal Hong Kong's 52ft Beau Geste, which has herself been in Dun Laoghaire. She was here last September for the IRC Europeans 2024 to add to her ORC Europeans 2024 win, but Johnny Murphy with the J/109 Outrajeous hadn't read the script, so Beau Geste was runner-up.

Niklas Zennstrom's Carkeek RAN on starboard and Gavin Brady's TP52 Beau Geste Photo: Carlo Borlenghi

The tide has been ebbing west for three hours now, so that's another advantage for boats arriving later tonight when the new flood will be making in to push them eastwards.

Meanwhile the tracker shows more than a dozen determined boats close inshore along the north coasts of Guernsey and Alderney, using those Channel Islands for a spot of tide dodging which some appear to be doing better than others, but those who do indulge unexpectedly in impactive pilotage with Channel Island rocks will keep it quiet.

The powerful tides of this area add yet another factor to any guesstimates, and all we can say at the moment is that Callisto for New Zealand, Jolt 6 for Monaco, and Beau Ideal for Hong Kong are more than ever setting the overall pace.

It's worth noting that Australia's small boat, Back 2 Black with Gordon Maguire on board, has pulled off a real Lazarus act by going from last of all at the Fastnet to 7th and improving in this final act. But at 18:00 hrs Tuesday, the Royal Irish YC is looking at Sunrise IV logging 13th overall, while Privateer is 23rd.

Ex Pat Gordon Maguire of Howth is on Sean Langman's Back 2 Black Photo: James Tomlinson

In the civilian fleet, Mike O'Donnell is good at 7th with the J/122 Darkwood in IRC 1, Mojito from Pwllheli is 10th in IRC 2, while Nieulargo and the Murphys from Royal Cork are 6th in IRC 3. Nicole Hemeryck of Dun Laoghaire skippering the Sunfast 3600 RORC Griffin is 22nd in IRC 3, and Pam Lee with #Empowher in Class 40 has moved up to 15th in class.

Some of these placings may seem modest enough, but we have to remember that the numbers involved are so enormous that anything above 20th is good going.

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

Published in Fastnet

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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.