Fastnet Race Returns to Cherbourg for 2027 Classic

26th September 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Fastnet Returns to Cherbourg: The Rolex Fastnet Race will return to Normandy in 2027 for its 52nd edition with more than 400 yachts expected Credit: Armel Vrac

The Rolex Fastnet Race will return to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin in 2027, with more than 400 yachts expected for the 52nd edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s offshore classic.

Cherbourg prepares for another Fastnet finish

The Rolex Fastnet Race will return to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin in July 2027, with organisers preparing for another major offshore sailing spectacle following the success of the 2025 centenary edition.

The 52nd edition will run from 22 to 30 July 2027, with the fleet again starting from Cowes, rounding the Fastnet Rock off Ireland’s south coast before racing to the Normandy finish.

The finish partners — Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, the Cotentin Urban Community, the Department of La Manche and the Normandy Region — have confirmed their continued collaboration with the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC).

Port Chantereyne is expected to welcome more than 400 yachts and almost 4,000 crew members, ranging from ULTIM and IMOCA ocean racing yachts to Class40s and production boats.

Record-breaking centenary edition

The 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race marked the centenary of the event and saw one of the largest offshore racing fleets ever assembled.

A total of 421 yachts completed the 695-nautical-mile course, with more than 3,000 sailors from 50 nations taking part.

The overall IRC victory went to Cherbourg-based skipper Alexis Loison, sailing the JPK 1050 Léon with Jean-Pierre Kelbert. The home victory added to the celebrations as the fleet arrived in Normandy.

The race village at Cherbourg attracted more than 130,000 visitors over nine days, with hundreds of free events, concerts, sailing activities and opportunities for spectators to meet crews.

2027 edition aims for another maritime festival

Preparations for the 2027 finish are already under way, with organisers focusing on both race infrastructure and public engagement.

The plans include ensuring Port Chantereyne can provide facilities for a fleet of more than 400 yachts, while also creating another nine-day maritime festival for visitors and local communities.

RORC Commodore Deb Fish said Cherbourg had become a special part of the Fastnet Race story.

“The welcome we receive here is exceptional, both on the water and ashore, and the enthusiasm of the people of Cherbourg makes the finish a highlight for sailors and spectators alike,” she said.

Manuela Mahier, President of the Association Arrivée Fastnet Cherbourg, said the return of the race was a source of pride for the region.

“Sailing and the sea are in our DNA: we are ready to offer both the crews and the general public a great, popular and unforgettable maritime celebration,” she said.

Key dates and figures

Cherbourg-en-Cotentin race village: 22–30 July 2027
Start from Cowes: Saturday 24 July 2027
Expected fleet: More than 400 yachts
Expected crews: Nearly 4,000 sailors
Expected visitors: More than 130,000
Finish partners: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, Cotentin Urban Community, Department of La Manche and Normandy Region

Published in Fastnet, RORC

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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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.