Black Pearl for New York YC is First Admiral's Cup Boat To Finish Centenary Fastnet Race

30th July 2025

WM Nixon

The Botin 56 Black Pearl (New York YC), the largest boat in the Admiral's Cup fleet, completed her expected first-to-finish run in Cherbourg on Tuesday at 6:54 p.m. local time Credit: Paul Wyeth

09:00 hrs Wednesday: The Botin 56 Black Pearl (New York YC), largest of the Admiral's Cup fleet, made her expected first-to-finish appearance on the Fastnet Race line in Cherbourg yesterday (Tuesday) evening at 18:54 hrs local time. But her crew – including Tim Goodbody Jnr of Dun Laoghaire - knew that a changing tidal situation would further improve the situation of lower-rated boats astern, despite their speed being 13.1 knots as they closed the line in the fresher evening breeze.

Karl Kwok's Botin 52 Beau Geste racing for Royal Hong Kong YC Photo: Paul Wyeth

Their closest Class 1 challenger on the water, Karl Kwok's Botin 52 Beau Geste racing for Royal Hong Kong YC, was still close west of the Cotentin Peninsula making only 7.1 knots against the tide, and about to engage in an inshore battle as she rounded the final headland to be narrowly ahead of 52 footers Jolt 3 (Monaco), Caro (New Zealand), Django WR51 (Italy) and the 54ft Teasing Machine of France.

Beau Geste staved them off in some style, and finished at 20:37 hrs, with Jolt 3 nine minutes later, followed by Caro seven minutes down the line, Django WR51 (it stands for Wally Rocket 51) another seven minutes astern at 21:00 hrs, and Teasing Machine a further 7 minutes back just 3 minutes ahead of Australia's Zen.

Callisto skipper James Murray (second from left) and navigator Ian Moore at the Fastnet Race finish Photo: Arthur Daniel

But then the real business of the evening was to come less than an hour later, as the leading boats in Admirals Cup Class 2 – Jolt 6 (Monaco) and Callisto (New Zealand) - approached the line. Callisto was first across at 21:46, but though she was leading Admiral's Cup Class 2 on the water, it was only by a minute ahead of Jolt 6, who thus took the lead with her calculatedly lower rating of 1.265 to the 1.268 of Callisto. So close is the racing that while Jolt 6 at present retains the AC 2 lead, Callisto is already back at fourth, though likely to stay there.

Overall, new names came to the fore in the later stages, most notably the Royal Maas YC's Ros van Uden, but as the beans get crunched she has moved back to 15th overall in the combined AC fleet, ahead nevertheless of many of the AC1's best boats.

Ron O'Hanley's Cookson 50 Privateer Photo: Rick Tomlinson

The Royal Irish YC AC1 boat, Ron O'Hanley's Cookson 50 Privateer, did indeed show briefly at second in AC1, but at the finish she is 24th overall, ahead nevertheless of the 2023 Fastnet Race superstar Caro. As for the RIYC small boat, Tom Kneen's JPK 1180 Sunrise IV, she is calculated to finish at 09.32 hrs today (Wednesday) to place 10th OA in the Admirals Cup Fastnet Classes.

The current Admirals Cup overall team placings are reported here.

Tom Kneen on board his JPK 1180 Sunrise IV Photo: Rick Tomlinson

Meanwhile, among other boats of Irish interest, Mike O'Donnell's J/121 Darkwood lies 6th in IRC 1, Mojito from Pwllheli is still sailing and reckoned tenth in IRC2, and Nieulargo from Cork has slipped to 14th in the 88-strong IRC 3 fleet.

Cian McCarthy's double-handed Cinnamon Girl from Kinsale at the Fastnet Rock Photo: Kurt Arrigo

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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Fastnet Race

About The Author

WM Nixon

Email The Author

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.