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Andrea Brewster & Saskia Tidey, Olympic 49erFX Sailing Campaigners for Rio 2016

Andrea Brewster and Saskia Tidey are full time sailors campaigning to represent Ireland at the Rio 2016 Olympics, with the ambition of bringing home a medal in the 49erFX class. For the latest news campaign news click here Team Brewster/Tidey…

Finn Lynch, Olympic Laser Sailing Campaigner for Rio 2016

When Finn Lynch won the Silver at 2012's ISAF Youth Worlds in Dublin Bay, it was the maturity of the 16-year-old's approach which drew the most favourable comment. The following September, at the ripe old age of 17, he was…

The Irish Maritime Web Awards

Recognising excellence in Irish marine communications in the digital age. Awards will be made for websiteexcellence in the following categories:SailingWatersportIndustryClubsClassesSafetyInlandPortsEnvironment We want you to nominate your favourite marine based website to be included in the awards. You can…

Peter O'Leary and David Burrows

When Peter O'Leary (29) and David Burrows (34) came ashore in Miami last month having taken silver for the second time at the Bacardi Cup, the London Olympic pair showed the depth of their ambition when they left the venue…

Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern

Now ranked 17th in the world Belfast pair Ryan Seaton (23) and Matthew McGovern (25) shot to prominence at the ISAF World Championships in Perth last December sailing to a level some never expected in this high speed dinghy class.…

Irish Olympic Sailing News

Get the very latest news stories about the Irish Olympic Sailing Team right on Afloat's dedicated Olympic aggregate news page. Afloat covers all the Olympic classes relevant to Ireland and our stories cover the road to Olympic qualification right through…

Ger Owens & Scott Flanigan - 470 Class

Youth and experience combined to crew Ireland's 470 trapeze dinghy in Weymouth. Double Olympian in the 470 class (Beijing 2008 and Athens 2004)and winner of two races at the Olympics in China, many would have expected Ger Owens of Dun…

Irish Olympic Sailing Team

The Irish Olympic Sailing Team comprises of 5 different classes, and includes some big names and personalities. We have all the Irish Team information here. Click the links to the left for more information about separate classes and team members.

Afloat/Irish Independent Sailor of the Month

Created in 1996, the Afloat Sailor of the Year Awards represent all that is praiseworthy, innovative and groundbreaking in the Irish sailing scene. This is a national award especially designed to salute the achievements of Ireland's sailing's elite. Over nearly…

Olympic Games Rio 2016

The 2016 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, is a major international multi-sport event due to be celebrated in the tradition of the Olympic Games, as governed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The host…

Advertise on Afloat.ie, Irish Sailing, Boating and Maritime Magazine

Advertising and Sponsorship We work closely with sponsors and advertisers whose content, products and services will interest our community. We provide sponsorship opportunities on the Afloat website every month and also have tailored sponsorship opportunities built around events. We do…

Where to Buy Afloat Magazine. Ireland's Sailing, Boating and Maritime Publication

Afloat recommends dropping into your local chandlery to pick up a copy of the mag but failing that below is a list of newsagents where you can pick up Afloat. It's not exhaustive - and we're compiling a more comprehensive…

Annalise Murphy

Sailing for as long as she can remember, going out and crewing for her mother in her Hurricane at the early age of 6. She started sailing oppy’s when only 10 years of age followed by laser 4.7’s, mirrors and…

Irish Rowing News. Rowing Clubs, Regattas, Sculling & Coastal Rowing

Afloat's rowing coverage encompasses the widest range of activities undertaken on Irish lakes, rivers and coastal waters. We aim to bring jargon free reports separated in to popular categories to promote the sport in Ireland. Click this link for the…

Business

From tourism to trade news, property, jobs and careers - this section of the website covers everything anyone in the business of sailing needs to know! If you have ideas for our pages we'd love to hear from you. Please…

Irish Sailing and Boating Regattas and Maritime Events

Reporting on the latest race news and regatta information is the one of the most important aspects of the Afloat.ie website. This page covers everything from round the world race stopovers, the arrival of the Tall Ships as well as…

Afloat Magazine. Ireland's Sailing, Boating and Maritime Publication

Afloat now in its 43rd year of production is a vibrant specialist magazine which has continually adapted to the demands of its readership, with an industry insight which is quite simply unique. Edited by David O'Brien (47), a former European…

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

At A Glance – Fastnet Race