Fastnet Yacht Race. News from the RORC Offshore Race Event

“Driving her on”. The late Hugh Sherrard, in his mid-70s at the helm of the 1905-vintage Brynoth, was the only Irish winner of a major trophy in the Golden Jubilee Fastnet Race of 1975

50th Fastnet Race on Saturday July 22nd 2023 Will Remind Us Of Vintage Racer Brynoth’s Unique Success In Golden Jubilee Race

15th July 2023 W M Nixon

It is arguably the greatest on-water fleet organisation in world sailing. In a week’s time, the 450 or so boats in the 50th staging of the 695-mile Rolex Fastnet Race will be sent on their way from Cowes in a…

Another record-sized fleet is expected to set out from Cowes on 22 July — with a significant Irish representation among them

Irish Entries Ready for the Challenge of 50th Rolex Fastnet Race

1st July 2023 Fastnet

At least 15 Irish or Irish-crewed entries have been confirmed for for the 2023 instalment of the Rolex Fastnet Race. The 50th anniversary edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s flagship event will set sail from Cowes to Cherbourg via…

Flying Fifteens Offered Start in 2023 Fastnet Race

19th June 2023 Flying Fifteen

The Flying Fifteen class have been offered a start in the annual Fastnet Race which opens the Calves Week sailing festival in West Cork on Tuesday 8 August. It will mark a first for the 20-foot one-design keelboat class that…

Two of the world’s fastest offshore racing yachts will battle for multiihull line honours in this year's Rolex Fastnet Race - including Armel le Cleac’h's Ultim trimaran Banque Populaire XI

World’s Fastest Offshore Yachts Racing Around Ireland's Fastnet Rock in 50th Race

16th June 2023 Fastnet

The Ultim trimarans are set to become especially newsworthy over the next months with the first ever race for five of these extreme 32m long by 23m wide flying trimarans, around the world, non-stop, singlehanded, setting sail from Brest, France…

Eoin and Conor Dodd, in their mid-twenties, are on a fundraising drive to raise funds for their entry in the Fastnet yacht race

Galway Twins Aim To Become First Sailors with Profound Non-Verbal Autism to Enter Fastnet Race

6th June 2023 Fastnet

Two Galway twin brothers aim to become the first sailors with profound non-verbal autism to helm a yacht in the 2025 Fastnet Race. Eoin and Conor Dodd, in their mid-twenties, are on a fundraising drive to raise funds for their…

James Neville's Ino Noir is coastal/offshore focused, yet with a strong inshore capability, with a total build time of 15,000 hours. Featuring the typical Carkeek heavily chamfered foredeck, reverse sheer bow, twin rudders, wheel steering and water ballast tank

RORC Commodore's New Yacht 'Ino Noir' Named for Fastnet Race Baptism of Fire

24th May 2023 Fastnet

On Sunday, one of the newly-launched hot favourites for the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s (RORC) 50th Rolex Fastnet Race in July, Ino Noir, had its boat christening ceremony at RORC, Cowes. The liquid crimson 45ft monohull will catch the eye…

The 1963 Kialoa II has been sailed all the way from Sydney, Australia to compete in the 50th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race

494 Yachts Register for 50th Fastnet Race

24th May 2023 Fastnet

The 50th-anniversary edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s flagship event, the Rolex Fastnet Race, will set sail in just under two months’ time on Saturday, 22nd July, from Cowes to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin in northern France via Ireland's Fastnet Rock. The…

Australian yacht Maluka of Kermandie at Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven, Cork Harbour is an entrant in this August's Rolex Fastnet Race

Australian Fastnet Race Competitor 'Maluka of Kermandie' Arrives at Royal Cork Yacht Club Marina

20th May 2023 Fastnet

It turns out the big lift ship that transported a pair of inshore patrol vessels (IPV) boats to Cork Harbour last week was carrying more than just boats for the Irish Navy. An Australian entry into this August's Rolex Fastnet Race…

Rambler 88 rounds the Fastnet Rock. She returns this year rechristened Lucky

Will it be Fourth Time Lucky for 50th Fastnet Race Monohull Line Honours?

11th May 2023 Fastnet

While the top prize in the Rolex Fastnet Race is the Fastnet Challenge Cup for the winner of IRC Overall, considerable kudos comes with finishing first on the water. This will be especially true for the monohull line honours winner…

July's 50th Rolex Fastnet Race will see a spectacular competition within the world's leading offshore racing class, the IMOCA

World’s Leading Offshore Racing Class, the IMOCAs, Heading for Irish Waters in the Fastnet Race

19th April 2023 Fastnet

An extraordinary phenomenon of modern day yacht racing, especially considering their cost and complexity: 40 IMOCAs are due to compete in the next Vendée Globe in 2024. The majority of these 60 footers, many of them foil-born flying machines, will…

Be in prime position to photograph boats rounding the rock in the 50th Fastnet Race this summer with Rick Tomlinson

Rick Tomlinson Hosting Fastnet Rock Photography Workshop

5th April 2023 Marine Photo

Here’s a rare opportunity to join renowned marine photographer Rick Tomlinson in the field for a special workshop at Fastnet Rock during this summer’s Rolex Fastnet Race. From 23-27 July, four lucky marine photography enthusiasts will join Rick on a…

Classic yacht Stormvogel returns having won line honours in 1961 and finished seventh overall in 2021

Gordon Maguire Among Classic Yacht Crews for 50th Edition of the Fastnet Race

19th March 2023 Fastnet

Appropriately, given the 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race will be the 50th edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s premier event, a significant number of classic yachts are entered, competing for the Dorade Cup. In 2021, Paul Moxon’s Amokura was the oldest boat in the race and…

Cork-based George Radley and a crew, including his son will compete on Imp, their famous 1976 Ron Holland-designed IOR 40, outright Fastnet Race winner in 1977

Radley's Cork Harbour IOR 40 'Imp' is Set for the 2023 Fastnet Race

10th February 2023 Fastnet

Cork Harbour's George Radley will contest this year's Fastnet Race on Imp, the outright Fastnet Race winner in 1977. Radley and a crew, including his son, will compete on the blast from the past in the famous Ron Holland-designed IOR…

The 50th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race is on course for record entry

50th Fastnet Race Gets Set for Record Entry

12th January 2023 Fastnet

The Royal Ocean Racing Club’s new race entry system has been burning red hot since 1200 on Wednesday, January 11th, when registration opened for the 50th edition of the club’s flagship event, the Rolex Fastnet Race. By 1300 entries were…

The Rolex Fastnet Race is the world's largest offshore yacht race

50th Fastnet Race Notice of Race is Published by RORC

4th January 2023 Fastnet

With one week to go until the registration date for the 50th Rolex Fastnet Race, its organiser, the Royal Ocean Racing Club, has published the event Notice of Race. In addition to the broad details of the event, the NoR…

A new race entry system 'SailRaceHQ' has been launched by RORC

Race Entry System 'SailRaceHQ' Launched by RORC

22nd December 2022 RORC

The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) has launched a new race entry system SailRaceHQ, replacing the old Sailgate system with immediate effect. 'Following a three-year study and build programme, SailRaceHQ is a totally new system that has many advantages and…

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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