Cork Boat Builder Killian Bushe Praised for Role in ClubSwan 125 Skorpios Fastnet Race Success

11th August 2021

Skorpios,the line honours winner in the 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race, was built by Killian Bushe of Cork Harbour Credit: Paul Wyeth

Irish boatbuilder Killian Bushe from Cork Harbour has been thanked by the Nautor Swan CEO for his role in the debut success of the massive ClubSwan 125 Skorpios that took monohull line honours in the
49th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race last night.

The ClubSwan 125, Nautor’s Swan flagship of the ClubSwan line, the high-performance range of the Finnish yard, débuted remarkable success at the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s premier event, the Fastnet Race.

Bushe built the boat in a 44-month quality project as Afloat's WM Nixon references here.

Launched last July at the BTC Yard in Pietarsaari, she has achieved the result hoped when she hit the water.

Designed by Juan K, with the interior design by Adriana Monk, for the construction of the yacht the yard employed the most brilliant minds in the sailing industry for a high technology monohull, built and conceived to be faster than the wind.

The most advanced technology has been put at sailing service for this “beast” which is testing her at one of the most awaited events of the year, the Rolex Fastnet Fastnet.

Lining up against 337 yachts, on August 8th 2021, Skorpios crossed the start line at the Royal Yacht Squadron to begin her voyage to the Fastnet Rock, an amazing show which revealed her beauty and magnificence.

After sailing through the English Channel and across the Celtic Sea, on Monday Skorpios became the first monohull to round southwest Ireland’s most famous rock. Skorpios rounded just astern of the final Ultime trimaran, the Jacek Siwek-skippered elongated ORMA 60, Ultim’emotion 2, but of more concern was a boat less than half her length nipping at her heels.

Irish boatbuilder Killian Bushe from Cork Harbour

After rounding the rock, the breeze dropped off and Skorpios extended the lead on her rival for the line honours victory, George David’s Rambler 88, previous line honours winner, along with the rest of the IMOCA fleet.

Speaking with the Royal Ocean Racing Club following their win in Cherbourg, Skipper Fernando Echavarri was relieved to have come through the Rolex Fastnet Race with the boat intact. “The boat is very strong, we backed off on speed coming out of the Solent, but so was everyone else. We had an idea of what the boat might be able to do, but we didn’t know for sure, so we learned a lot on this race.”

After rounding the rock, the breeze dropped off and Skorpios extended the lead on her rival for the line honours victory

Giovanni Pomati, CEO of Nautor, shared his thoughts following the result of Skorpios: “In this special moment in the history of Nautor I can’t avoid sending my thoughts and a great thanks to the international team that contributed to the building of this racing boat! I’d love to thank once again all the team behind: Enrico Chieffi, Juan K, Adriana Monk, Bob Wylie, Killian Bushe, Richard Ghillies, Roger Sandberg, the team at Nautor yard in Finland, the team at Nautor Swan Global Service that is now taking over the assistance to the boat, the Skorpios crew and shore team led by Fernando Echevannri and Pepe Ribes that’s contributing to the boat set up in great teamwork with Nautor. A huge congratulations and thanks to all of you for changing the pages of the sailing history.”

Published in Fastnet

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.

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.

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At A Glance – Fastnet Race