Fastnet Race 2021: The Rich Get Richer

10th August 2021

A magic moment for every boat. The 140ft Skorpios – built by Killian Bushe from Cork – rounds the Fastnet Rock at 18;00 hrs yesterday (Monday) evening Credit: Jim Griffiths

Day 3 0900: The Rolex Fastnet Race 2021 has been continuing its theme of conditions seeming to favour the largest or the fastest boats. This may not mean that every biggie is doing well – far from it – but as of 8:30 this (Tuesday) morning, on-water mono-hull leader, the ClubSwan 125 Skorpios, was eastward bound and already due south of Land's End, having rounded the Fastnet at almost exactly 18:00 hrs yesterday (Monday) evening, and now with just 155 miles to sail to the new finish at Cherbourg. Her closest challenger in straight mono-hull finishing terms, Charlie Dalin's brilliantly-sailed Imoca 60 Apivia – less than half Skorpios's overall length – was due south of the Isle of Scilly.

Around them are many much smaller boats, still gallantly plugging to windward with a long way to go out to the Fastnet, though a slow backing of the west wind may favour the mid-fleet craft later today.

The ClubSwan 125 Skorpios with the Fastnet Rock in her wake Photo: Carlo Borlneghi/Rolex

France's Charlie Dalin is having a brilliant year with his Imoca 60 Apivia. On January 27th he was first to finish in the Vendee Globe, and in the current Rolex Fastnet Race, his out-of-the-box tactic of plotting his early windward work to go south of the Channel Islands proved to be a win move and (below) at the Fastnet Rock Photo: Thomas Newman

At the Rock itself, however, winds are light, and as Apivia sweeps effortlessly past the Isles of Scilly, way back at The Rock her fellow Imoca 60 Hugo Boss is still struggling to get round, showing a frustrating speed of only 3.2 knots.

In the overall picture, some boats of special Irish interest continue to show well. ISORA skipper Andrew Hall of Pwllheli with the recently-bought Lombard 45 Pata Negra is maintaining the battle for the IRC 1 lead, and though at time of writing she is shown at fourth in class, she is well on her way our to the Rock, and has had her share and more of being in first place.

The interesting Lombard 45 Pata Negra – on several chartered occasions, she was a boat of success for Irish crews – is now owned by ISORA skipper Andrew Hall of Pwllheli SC, and is in contention for the IRC1 win

IRC 3 continues to see France's multi-talented Alexis Loison in the lead with the JPK 10.30 Leon, and at times he heads IRC2H as well. But Cork's Grand Soleil 40 Nieulargo (Denis Murphy & Annamarie Fegan) continues in the top six and occasionally in the top three, and makes steady progress.

Meanwhile, Dun Laoghaire's Kenneth Rumball with Greystones' Pamela Lee in the Figaro 3 RL Sailing are pacing impressively with the Lison crew on Leone, and maintain their lead in the three-way duel of the Figaro 3 2H division.

The Sunfast 37 Desert Star (Irish Offshore Sailing, Dun Laoghaire) continues to do well in IRC 4 Photo: Afloat

In IRC 4, Dun Laoghaire's indefatigable Sunfast 37 Desert Star (Irish Offshore Sailing) took the slightly risky option of sailing east of the TSS directly off Land's End. But unlike others, they avoided light airs off that most westerly headland, and this morning they're indicated as staying solidly in 4th in IRC 4.

The veteran Polish Volvo 70 I Love Poland (Grzegorz Baranowski) continues to hold the IRC lead in both Class Zero and Overall, she's halfway to the Isles of Scilly from The Rock, and already – after Wizard's notable win in 2019 – the speculation is developing that the old classic Volvo 70s have found a new lease of life as steadily successful Rolex Fastnet Race contenders.

The Volvo 70 I Love Poland currently leads IRC overall. For several years she has been based at Cascais in Portugal in order to maximize training opportunities for Poland's growing offshore racing enthusiasm. Photo: James Tominson

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Fastnet Race Live Tracker 2023

Track the progress of the 2023 Fastnet Yacht Race fleet on the live tracker above

The 50th edition of the 700-mile race organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club starts from Cowes, Isle of Wight, on Saturday, 22nd July.

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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.

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At A Glance – Fastnet Race