Fastnet Yacht Race. News from the RORC Offshore Race Event

Swanage RNLI lifeboat assists a yacht competing in the 2023 Fastnet Race. See video below

Fastnet Race's 'String of Incidents' for RNLI Lifeboats (Video)

24th July 2023 Fastnet

Four lifeboats from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) were called out to a string of incidents in terrible conditions at the weekend as the 50th Fastnet Race got underway in boat-breaking conditions. The famous 695-mile yacht race started at…

Bryon Erhart's canting-keel Lucky (formerly Rambler 88) battered through to the mono-hull lead in the 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race

Fastnet Race 2023 Into More Normal Progress After Mayhem Of First Day's Gales

24th July 2023 Fastnet

Fastnet Race Day 3 0800 - Northerly winds are now set in on the Fastnet race area between Cornwall and southwest Ireland, while the underlying breeze still has a westerly emphasis in the English Channel between Lands End and the…

Francois Gabart celebrates his Rolex Fastnet Race Ultim class victory in Cherbourg

Fastnet Race Outright Record Falls to Ultim SVR Lazartigue

24th July 2023 Fastnet

Fastnet Race Day Two: Having been so dramatically pipped at the post by Maxi Groupe Edmond de Rothschild in the last breath of the 2019 race, François Gabart and his team, this time racing the giant 32m long flying trimaran…

Erik Maris helms with offshore legend Loick Peyron on Zoulou at the Fastnet Rock in the 50th Fastnet Race

Fastnet Race Spectators Gather in Cherbourg for First Arrivals of Ultim Trimarans Due at 11pm

23rd July 2023 Fastnet

Fastnet Race Day Two 8 pm: After a tough first 24 hours in this 50th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race, conditions have abated in the English Channel and Celtic Sea. This afternoon the Seven Stones light vessel between Land's…

SVR Lazartigue was first to round Ireland's Fastnet Rock in the 2023 Fastnet Race from Cowes

First Fastnet Race Yacht Arrives at the Rock as Coastguard Involved in 28 Incidents Including a Sinking

23rd July 2023 Fastnet

Fastnet Race Day Two 2 pm - A brutal first night at sea in this 50th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race has seen numerous retirements and many others seeking temporary shelter from the gale force conditions in the English Channel.…

Rolex Fastnet Race competitor Quailo 3 deals with the destructive first cold, wet night conditions of the 450-boat Fastnet Race 2023

100 Retire After Destructive First Night Of Fastnet 2023: Nieulargo from Cork and Darkwood (RIYC) Best Of Irish

23rd July 2023 Fastnet

Fastnet Race Day 2 0900: The strong to gale force south-westerlies headwinds, occasionally hitting 40 knots with dense air and poor visibility, have made the destructive first cold, wet night of the 450-boat Fastnet Race 2023 into an endurance test,…

The Ultim trimarans lead the 50th Rolex Fastnet Race away

Record-Sized Fastnet Race Fleet Sets Sail on Blustery 50th Edition

22nd July 2023 Fastnet

Fastnet Race Start: On Saturday afternoon, the Solent shoreline was packed deep with spectators braving the conditions to witness the greatest assortment of offshore yacht racing hardware ever assembled. The special 50th edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Rolex…

The Murphy family of Cork's Grand Soleil Nieulargo, racing in IRC 2 at today's Fastnet Race start off Cowes

Cork's Nieulargo Off To Flying Start in Fastnet Race 2023

22nd July 2023 Fastnet

Fastnet Race 2023 start - The Murphy family of Cork's Grand Soleil Nieulargo, racing in IRC 2, had one of the best starts of the entire Fastnet Race 2023 fleet in a rain-sodden Solent this afternoon, conditions which - when…

Five times Sydney-Hobart winner Gordon Maguire will be racing in Sean Langman’s very-upgraded 1932-built 30ft gaff cutter Maluka in Saturday’s 50th Fastnet Race

Ireland’s Fastnet Rock Could Become Only Remaining Feature Of Original Fastnet Race Course

22nd July 2023 W M Nixon

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that prediction can be a dodgy business as it involves the future. And when that future is reckoned to include – as it does for today (Saturday’s) Fastnet Race start in the Solent –…

Christian Dumard, race meteorologist, briefs the competitors before the start of the 50th Fastnet Race at Cowes

Breezy Conditions for Saturday's Fastnet Race Start May Favour Big Boats

21st July 2023 Fastnet

Momentum is building towards tomorrow afternoon’s start of the 50th Rolex Fastnet Race. More and more boats are arriving in Cowes and to moorings and berths across the Solent. Meanwhile, an armada has left from Cherbourg and numerous ports around…

Ross Boyd is on onboard Robert Rendell’s Samatom from Howth for this Saturday's Fastnet Race from Cowes

Two Belfast Lough Sailors Competing in the 50th Anniversary Fastnet Race

21st July 2023 Fastnet

Two Belfast Lough sailors are racing in the 50th Anniversary Rolex Fastnet Race, which starts on Saturday from Cowes on the Isle of Wight and finishes in Cherbourg. Ewan Finlay is racing as foredeck crew on Mark Emerson’s A13 Phosphorus II,…

Spectators enjoying the start of the 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race

Fastnet Race Conditions Now Slightly Moderated

20th July 2023 Fastnet

The expected wind and weather conditions for Saturday's Fastnet Race, while still unsettled, look to be averaging out. The dominant factor is a low-pressure area of 1008 currently (Thursday afternoon) off southeast Greenland. It will only deepen slowly as it…

Successful offshore racer Michael Boyd in non-competitive mode at the Fastnet Rock

Ireland's Michael Boyd To Make Commentary Input On Fastnet Race Start

20th July 2023 Fastnet

Former RORC Commodore Michael Boyd of the Royal Irish Yacht Club is one of the commentary team on the RORC's live Youtube broadcast on Saturday (July 22nd)'s Rolex Fastnet Race 2023 start, with transmission beginningat 12:30 hrs. A very experienced…

The IRC 4 start of the 2017 Fastnet Race from the Royal Yacht Squadron. An extremely strong period of southwest winds forecast is increasingly likely for the start of the 2023 race this Saturday afternoon

Might 50th Fastnet Race Start on Saturday be Postponed?

19th July 2023 Fastnet

A relatively brief but extremely strong period of southwest winds forecast as increasingly likely for Saturday afternoon and evening along the south coast of England will have the RORC's Fastnet Race Team contemplating a day's postponement as one of their…

The 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race set sail in winds gusting to gale force

Fresh Upwind Start Forecast for 50th Fastnet Race

18th July 2023 Fastnet

As competitors in this special anniversary edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s 50th Rolex Fastnet Race arrive in the Solent, or Cherbourg in preparation for Saturday’s start from Cowes, focus is turning to the weather forecast. Forecasts get increasingly…

The Sisterhood of Steering is shared aboard Nieulargo (RCYC) by Molly and Mia Murphy

Royal Cork Crews Make Fastnet Race Into Family Affair

18th July 2023 Fastnet

When the first Fastnet Race was sailed in 1925 amidst controversy over the foolhardiness of bringing “reckless competition” into ocean voyaging, the last thing on the organisers’ mind was the crazy thought that by 2023, with the 50th Fastnet getting…

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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

At A Glance – Fastnet Race