France Dominates Rolex Centenary Fastnet Race as Leon is a Winner for JPK

30th July 2025

WM Nixon

Doublehanded sailors Alexis Loisson and owner-builder Jean-Pierre Kelbert of Lorient sailed Leon to become the overall winners of the Centenary Rolex Fastnet Race Credit: Stefano Gattini

11.45hrs Wednesday: At 11.22 hrs this (Wednesday) morning, the French JPK 1050 Leon crossed the finish line at Cherbourg in the Centenary Fastnet Race. Racing in the Two-handed Division with noted solo star Alexis Loisson and owner-builder Jean-Pierre Kelbert of Lorient making up her crew, Leon became overall winner of the Centenary Fastnet Race, almost an hour ahead of renowned veteran French skipper Gery Trentesaux with his Ker 43 Long Courrier.

Gery Trentesaux with his Ker 43 Long Courrier Photo: Paul Wyeth

With the weather conditions generally favouring smaller boats, though with Long Courrier an exception, France looks like it has dominated the final placings in this record-fleet Centenary Fastnet Race, as overall they hold the top five positions with Leon first, Long Courrier second, Amarris third, Solenn for Pure Ocean fourth, and Lann Ael 3 fifth.

French Double Handers Achille Nebout and Tanguy Bouroullec in Amarris were third overall Photo: Paul Wyeth

The first non-French boat is Australian Linda Goddard's Swan 53 Bedouin in sixth, and next in 7th overall is top British, the JPK 1180 Dawn Treader raced by Ed Bell and Mark Spearman.

The top Admiral's Cup boat in the fleet rankings is Monaco's Jolt 6, a Carkeek 40 placed at 8th, and Ireland's top ranking is achieved by Tom Kneen's JPK 1180 Sunrise IV, the small boat of the RIYC Admiral's Cup team, which is 17th. The Open Volvo 70 Tschuss 2, co-skippered by Johnny Mordaunt, retains her lead in the Class Zero divisions, and is 25th overall.

ADMIRAL'S CUP PROVISIONAL

Provisional team results for the Admiral's Cup show the Yacht Club de Monaco winning overall from the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, with the Yacht Club de Costa Smeralda coming third for Italy. Ireland, represented by the Royal Irish Yacht Club, places 13th. More here.

Thus although the Centenary Fastnet started from the Solent as the race has done for a hundred years, this is the third time the biennial event has finished in Cherbourg, and French offshore racers and boat-builder have risen in formidable style in response to the unique challenge which the new format presents.

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

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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.