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ROLEX FASTNET RACE: 50TH EDITION OF A LEGENDARY CONTEST

Geneva, 11 July 2023 - The Rolex Fastnet Race is indisputably one of the sailing world’s premier offshore classics. The landmark 50th edition this month provides an opportunity to pay homage to the heritage and the profound impact the revered race has had on the development of ocean racing. Long-standing partner Rolex, Title Sponsor since 2001, is proud to be associated with a contest that demands precision, dedication and the highest level of performance, as well as one whose organizer, the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), plays a key role in ensuring the future of the sport.

First held in 1925 and staged biennially since the 1930s, the 695-nautical mile (1,287 kilometres) Rolex Fastnet Race sits alongside the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race as a pillar of Rolex’s privileged relationship with the sport. Rolex Testimonee and renowned US yachtsman Paul Cayard identifies what makes the Rolex Fastnet Race one of the most demanding contests of its kind: "The Rolex Fastnet Race is a rite of passage for any sailor. It is a relentless and often brutal challenge. The race demands a multitude of skills – navigational and tactical awareness, flawless preparation, exemplary teamwork and resilience in the face of the harshest conditions.”

The Rolex Fastnet Race is the world’s largest race of its kind and since 2009, has consistently welcomed more than 300 entrants. This year a fleet of over 450 yachts, sailed by about 3,000 crew from some 30 countries, is expected – clear proof that the race is held in high regard by the international sailing community. RORC Commodore James Neville believes the event’s history and standing resonate perfectly with competitive sailors from all backgrounds:

“The 50th edition has been widely recognized as an opportunity to celebrate the heritage of the Rolex Fastnet Race. The predicted record fleet is confirmation of the event’s enduring popularity and the desire of sailors to test themselves on a challenging racecourse against their peers. Once again, we are delighted to have the support of Rolex, whose partnership with the race, and the RORC, is integral to the continuing success of the race.”

The 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race starts on Saturday, 22 July from Cowes, Isle of Wight, England. As is tradition, the starting signals will be delivered from the Royal Yacht Squadron. The Squadron, as it is universally known, has been supported by Rolex since the 1980s and, like the RORC, is regarded as one of the pre-eminent yacht clubs in the world.

Heading westwards from Cowes, the fleet passes noted landmarks in the English Channel, including The Needles at the western end of the Solent, Portland Bill, Start Point, The Lizard and Land’s End, before embarking on the open water passage across the Celtic Sea to the symbolic turn at the Fastnet Rock off the southern coast of Ireland. This rounding marks the emblematic halfway juncture as the fleet embarks on the long return leg via the Scillies to the finish at Cherbourg. After a successful introduction in 2021, this will be the second time the race finishes in France.

Conditions across the course typically entail strong westerly winds, high seas and punishing waves, particularly in the open-water legs. Just to reach the finish, crews must be prepared to summon their deepest resources, while the diversity of competing yachts and sailors demonstrates the widespread appeal of the Rolex Fastnet Race and its reputation as a relentless, but rewarding challenge. Cutting-edge maxi multihulls and grand prix monohulls share the course with much smaller boats, often crewed by passionate Corinthians, for some of whom completing this race can be the pinnacle of their sailing achievement.

Over the period of the Rolex partnership, yachts from 33 feet to 72 feet (10–22 metres) have secured the Fastnet Challenge Cup and Rolex timepiece awarded to the overall winner, with dedicated, committed amateur crews often getting the better of more illustrious professional rivals.

Taking part in the Rolex Fastnet Race is to become part of the history and fabric of the sport. Cayard deftly sums up why, after nearly 100 years, it is still held in high esteem:

"Anyone who has ever competed in the Rolex Fastnet Race gains an immediate sense of its unique history and the impact its evolution has had on the development of offshore sailing. You only have to look at the names of the boats engraved on the Fastnet Challenge Cup to fully appreciate the heritage of the race and appreciate why it is held in such high regard.”

ROLEX AND YACHTING Rolex has always associated with activities driven by passion, excellence, precision and team spirit. The Swiss watchmaker naturally gravitated towards the elite world of yachting six decades ago and the brand's enduring partnership now encompasses the most prestigious clubs, races and regattas, as well as towering figures in the sport, including ground-breaking round-the-world yachtsman Sir Francis Chichester and the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, Sir Ben Ainslie. Today, Rolex is Title Sponsor of 15 major international events from leading offshore races such as the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race, to grand prix competition at the Rolex TP52 World Championship and spectacular gatherings at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Swan Cup. It also supports the exciting SailGP global championship in which national teams race identical supercharged F50 catamarans on some of the world's most famous harbours. Rolex's partnerships with the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Royal Ocean Racing Club, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Yacht Club Italiano, New York Yacht Club and Royal Yacht Squadron, among others, are the foundation of its enduring relationship with this dynamic sport.

Contact details

Virginie Chevailler

Giles Pearman

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Special 50th edition Rolex Fastnet Race to take place in 2023

A year from now the start gun will fire on what will be the most significant, historic edition of the world’s largest offshore yacht race. Setting sail from Cowes on Saturday 22nd July 2023 will be the 50 th edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Rolex Fastnet Race.

For a second consecutive occasion, this will finish in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin via a 695 nautical mile course via the Fastnet Rock. Because this is a special edition, complete with celebrations taking place on both sides of the Channel prior to the start and at the finish, it is expected to attract a record-sized fleet.

The first race, then simply known as the ‘Ocean Race’ and held on a course from Ryde to Plymouth via the Fastnet Rock, took place in 1925 with seven starters. A dinner immediately after the finish resulted in the Ocean Racing Club being established with Lt Cmdr EG Martin, owner of the first race’s winner, Jolie Brise, appointed Commodore.

Since then, top sailors from all over the world have competed in this most famous of the world's 'classic 600 mile offshore races'. The Rolex Fastnet Race was inspired by the Newport-Bermuda offshore race (first held in 1906) and US entries have remained strong. Notable US winners include yacht designer Rod Stephens Snr with Dorade (1931 and 1933); Dick Nye with Carina II (1955 and 1957); innovative designer Dick Carter with Rabbit (1965) and Red Rooster (1969); CNN founder Ted Turner's Tenacious which won the infamous 1979 race; and, most recently, David and Peter Askew on Wizard (2019).

The race has always attracted a powerful entry from the continent and especially France, with the great Eric Tabarly winning on board Pen Duick III in 1967. As France has come to dominate all walks of offshore racing, so four of the last 10 races have been won by their yachts.

Over the last two decades participation in the Rolex Fastnet Race has skyrocketed making it the biggest offshore race in the world. While the pro fleets such as the Class40 and IMOCA remain open, the size of the IRC fleet racing for the event’s top prize – the Fastnet Challenge Cup remains limited. As a result, when entry for the 50 th Rolex Fastnet Race opens on 11 January 2023, past experience indicates that positions will be filled and a waiting list begun within a matter of seconds.

For most of its life the Fastnet Race has been held biennially, however from the first race until 1931 it was held annually and three editions were lost due to World War 2. The race gained a special standing on the international stage during the decades as the hardest and deciding race of the internationally renowned Admiral’s Cup; the unofficial world championship of yachting.

As ever the 50 th Rolex Fastnet Race will gather a giant fleet spanning sailing clubs and schools, families and charter companies, for many of whom doing the race will be the pinnacle of their sailing careers; to the bulk of the fleet, the IRC cruiser-racers and racers; to the most successful privately-owned grand prix race boats from around the world, including the maxi monohulls jockeying for overall line-honour; to the impressive and highly competitive French fleets such as the 100ft Ultime trimarans, the IMOCA 60s of the Vendée Globe and Ocean Race and the Class40s.

Competitors should note that this year’s race will start earlier than normal, on 22 nd July when the tides will be more favourable. This will allow ample time to complete the race and cover the 75 mile reach back to the Solent in time to take part in Cowes Week.

“Interest in the Rolex Fastnet Race is exceptional, even a year out from the start there looks set to be strong interest from Europe once again,” says Chris Stone, Racing Manager of the RORC, currently in Helsinki for the start of the RORC-organised Roschier Baltic Sea Race, where several of the yachts competing are already preparing for the 50 th Rolex Fastnet Race. “We look forward to running our premier event again, free from any of the worries or constraints of the pandemic.” The last edition of the race pre-pandemic had a record 388 entries.

The Race Office will be open in Cowes, Hamble and Cherbourg from 17 th July 2023 and the Race Village in Cherbourg will be open several days prior to the start, sending off the French pro classes to Cowes for the start of the race.

The Royal Ocean Racing Club is working on the finish with L’Association Arrivée Fastnet Cherbourg in partnership with the town of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, Communauté d’Agglomération du Cotentin and the Département de la Manche et Région Normandie.

Celebrations for the RORC will continue in 2025 when the club will celebrate its 100 th anniversary.

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Two giant foiling trimarans set for a Fastnet Race battle

• Toby Heppell
• July 18, 2023

The battle to be the first boat home will be hard fought between two giant trimarans in this years Fastnet Race, with the foilers promising an epic battle

As with most big races around the world, bragging rights in the Rolex Fastnet Race race are split into two broad camps, the line honours winners (the first boat to complete the course) and the winner of the event on corrected time.

And since the inclusion of multihulls 20 years ago, these categories are split again into monohull and multihull line honours and handicap winners.

Most of those taking part in the race, in either monohulls or multihulls, will only be focussed on the handicap results as a line honours win is out of reach of all but the fastest, biggest and most expensive boats in the world.

For the Rolex Fastnet Race 2023 , the fastest boat to complete the course will almost certainly be one of the two 100ft foiling trimarans, the Ultim of Banque Populaire XI and SVR-Lazartigue .

Banque Populaire XI in full flight. Photo: Jeremie Lecaudey

Fastest Fastnet Race Multihulls

The foiling ocean racers are at the very forefront of technical innovation and are designed to break records – be that offshore races, ocean crossings or the ultimate prize a Jules Verne Round the World record .

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 on 7 January next year.

Before then two of the main contenders will be leading the charge on the rather shorter 695 mile Rolex Fastnet Race.

A rticle continues below…

Extraordinary boats: Banque Populaire XI

Banque Populaire is one of the world’s most experienced and successful sailing teams, and was the force behind Armel Le…

The ultimate foiling machine? Onboard SVR-Lazartigue

Launched in July after 150,000 hours of work, SVR-Lazartigue is the latest addition to the burgeoning Ultim 32/23 fleet. In…

How to win the Rolex Fastnet Race: expert navigator’s tips

The 2021 edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race came with an interesting change. The finish line, having always previously been…

SVR-Lazartigue and Banque Populaire XI are skippered by two titans of offshore racing, Francois Gabart and Armel le Cleac’h respectively. Both are Vendée Globe winners (Gabart 2012, le Cleac’h 2016). Le Cleac’h is part of the exclusive club of triple winners of La Solitaire du Figaro (the unofficial world championship of solo offshore racing). He has been racing Ultims since 2013, this being his second boat.

Similarly, Gabart joined the Ultim class in 2015 winning many events with his MACIF trimaran, culminating in his record for sailing singlehanded non-stop around the world of just 42d 16h 40m 35s, incredibly just under two days shy of the fully crewed record.

Gabart has competed in the Rolex Fastnet Race twice before, winning on his IMOCA 60 MACIF in 2013 and then, in 2019, leading into the Plymouth finish line aboard his Ultim trimaran, only to be pipped at the post by Groupe Edmond de Rothschild , finishing less than one minute astern. “That was a little disappointing,” Gabart admits.

Charles Caudrelier and Franck Cammas on Maxi Edmond de Rothschild win the last Fastnet Race in 2021. Photo: Eloi Stichelbaut / PolaRYSE / Gitana

Neither of these Ultims competed in the 2021 race, when Charles Caudrelier and Franck Cammas on Maxi Edmond de Rothschild established the record for the new course to Cherbourg of 1d 9h 14m 54s.

Their Ultims are more than capable of bettering this and it’s possible a good breeze could even see the 14-year-old outright record for the most miles covered in 24 hours (908.2 miles/average speed 37.84 knots), also broken, given enough runway with suitable conditions and the will. If pressed, the latest Ultims could cover 1000 miles in a day (average speed 41.6 knots).

The top speed on Banque Populaire XI to date is 47 knots, but it is not top speed but high average speeds that Le Cleac’h says is the objective. “40-42 knots for one or two hours is very good, or 35-37 knots for 24 hours. We know that it is possible with our boat if the conditions are good.”

The performance of the Ultims has taken a massive leap in recent years, since new foil configurations have enabled them to fly.

For Banque Populaire XI getting airborne requires 12-13 knots of wind/22-23 knots of boat speed. Ideal conditions are no more than 20 knots as above this the sea state becomes too rough to use the foils effectively. Upwind in 15-17 knots Banque Populaire XI flies and will be making 27-30 knots. “That is the big step forward compared to the last Ultims, and that difference is very important compared to the older generation Ultims.”

“We regularly reach speeds of over 40 knots at less than 90° true wind angle (TWA),” says Gabbart. “In certain conditions, such as 25 knots of wind on flat seas, at 65°-70° off the wind, you’re doing 40 knots. That’s 60-65 knots of apparent wind speed. The maximum AWS in our log is not far from 70 knots.”

Of course one of these two foiling beasts being first to finish the Fastnet Race does require that they actually finish. The giant trimarans are at the very forefront of innovation and are famously susceptible to damage.

Reliability is improving, however, as foiling technology improves but even these hugely developed technological marvels the old adage holds true; ‘to finish first, first you have to finish’.

If you enjoyed this….

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Rolex Fastnet Race 2023

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The Rolex Fastnet Race is one of the world’s best-known offshore races. Conceived by British sailor Weston Martyr in 1925, it’s organised every two years by the famous English yacht club Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), in collaboration with the Royal Yacht Squadron of Cowes, and in 2023 it celebrates its 50 th edition. Since its beginnings, this legendary regatta has attracted elite sailors and enthusiasts from all over the world. With its rich history, its breath-taking course and the intense competitiveness, it’s one of the most iconic and prestigious events on the sailing calendar.

Named after the Fastnet Rock, off the south coast of Ireland, the regatta presents a formidable challenge, spanning 695 nautical miles. Departing from Cowes, Isle of Wight, the route follows the south coast of England westward, along the English Channel, crosses the Celtic Sea to reach the iconic Fastnet Rock, off the south-west coast of Ireland, then turns back, clearing Bishop Rock, off the Isles of Scilly, and setting course for the finish in Cherbourg, France.

The course record for monohulls is 42 hours 39 minutes, set by the VO70 Abu Dhabi in 2011, while for multihulls it’s currently 28 hours 2 minutes 26 seconds, set by Maxi Edmond de Rothschild . In 2021, the World Speed ​​Sailing Record Council awarded Giovanni Soldini, aboard his Maserati70 , the distance record on the Fastnet course, with a time of 23 hours, 51 minutes and 16 seconds.

For the Rolex Fastnet Race , the Class40 IBSA counts on a crew of four: Alberto Bona and Luca Bertacchi will be supported by expert offshore sailor Andrea Caracci and by Francesca Clapcich, who boasts two participations in the Olympics and two round-the-worlds with the prestigious Ocean Race .

Alberto Bona

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The 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race Expedition

• Corporate Yacht Racing Club
• Exciting Yacht Racing
• Relaxed Yacht Cruising
• Yacht Charter
• Booking Form

• 20 Days of Yacht Training and Racing
• Only 6-7 Holiday Days Required
• (30 Days training if you can make the deliveries)
• 1,000 miles of Offshore Yacht Racing
• 3 Training Weekends, 2 Offshore Yacht Races
• 1,000 Delivery Miles
• ISAF Offshore Safety Course and Team Kit

Irish Offshore Sailing. 13th Overall out of 400 yachts in the 2021 Fastnet, 2nd in Class and fastest Irish Yacht.  Fastest Sailing School Yacht in the 2015 Fastnet Race 66th Overall in 340 yacht fleet, 6th in class in the 2016 Round Ireland Yacht Race, 3rd in the class in the 2014 Round Ireland Yacht Race, 4th in class in the 2012 Round Ireland Yacht Race. Learn to Yacht Race to Win!

Here is your opportunity to do something extraordinary. Train over 3 weekends with 6 other crewmembers and two professional sailors onboard a Jeanneau Sunfast 37. Your professional skipper and first mate will put you through your paces, teaching you skills you will rely upon during the race. When you are trimming and easing that spinnaker in the middle of the night getting covered in spray while surfing down waves at 11 knots and you’re 60 miles offshore, you know you’ve become an offshore yacht racer.

The Rolex Fastnet is one of the toughest offshore yacht races on the European sailing calendar. Following the 1979 Fastnet disaster it has become one of the most high profile yacht races in the World. Since then, some of the strictest safety measures have been put into place and the race has become much safer now than it was back in the 1970’s.

This is a big challenge, while a novice sailor is welcome to participate with us on this campaign, awareness of the intensity of the training weekends and the physical discomfort during the race is important. The most important attribute for each crew member, more important than your previous sailing experience is your attitude. We need enthusiastic, resilient, hard working individuals with an easy going personality capable of getting along with other people in a confined environment under difficult circumstances.

This may well be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. The camaraderie between people working together sharing a common goal as well as that feeling of complete freedom of living on the sea, and aware only of that present moment is something becoming rarer and rarer in present lifestyles.

If you’re unsure if this is for you, but like the idea why not come and meet us for a coffee, we will show you over the yacht and discuss campaign. You could also consider booking in for a normal yacht training weekend at a cost of €320. This will give you a great insight as to what its all about, but hurry as places are booking up very quickly!

The Rolex Fastnet Expedition

• (30 Days if you can make the deliveries)

The practical training begins Saturday the 27th May 2023 at 0900 from our base at Dun Laoghaire Marina. The aim of the training is to firstly make you safe and useful onboard as you move around the boat. We cover man overboard drills and show you exactly what to do in the event of an emergency. We then undergo an intensive and highly repetitious system of maneuvers, covering all aspects of yacht racing.

You will learn how to reef sails quickly. How to peel headsails efficiently and how to race trim the sails on all points of sailing. You will learn how to set up, hoist, gybe and drop the asymmetrical spinnaker in a confident professional manner. You will get coaching on how to helm a yacht in race mode and how to carry out all of the routine tasks needed to keep the entire team safe and happy while racing a yacht offshore.

The week before the race, we bring the yacht to Gosport, this takes around 6 days and you are welcome to sail on this trip if you can afford the time off work and if we have space. We usually meet in Gosport (easy rail access from both Gatwick and Southampton airports) , and get the food and last minute touch ups to the boat before sailing the short trip to Cowes in the Isle of Wight, where we register for the race and soak up the atmosphere, go out for a meal together and get ready for the startline at 1200 the next morning.

This is the opportunity of a lifetime to take part in this outstanding adventure. This again features expert tuition given on a 3:1 student instructor ratio, so you get the most out of this intensive training program. It is open to beginners to sailing and to those who can bring plenty of experience to the team. Again, all we ask is that you are motivated to learn, flexible and willing to endure physical discomfort in a confined social environment and have a positive attitude throughout. We guarantee you will be a seasoned offshore yacht racer by the end of this expedition. For full details of dates see below.

 2023 Campaign Itinerary:  

The Rolex Fastnet 2023 starts Sat 22nd July 2023 at 1200 off Cowes on the Isle of Wight

Cost : €5,450 per person

Early Bird Price: €4,950 per person (if deposit paid before 31st Dec 2022)

50% deposit secures your place. This deposit is fully refundable up until February 1st 2023

The fastnet race is an iconic race, it’s the race that many crews are working towards all season, and in most cases it marks the pinnacle of one’s sailing career. Having a accrued a foreboding image from the early races in ‘70s this has truly become the World’s most famous yacht race with over 400 yachts entering each year from more than 20 different countries. Its one of the very few sporting events where you actually race against some of the best sailors in the world and the fastest and most prestigious yachts in the world. The start line off the Isle of Wight is breathtaking!

This year for the first time in the 100 year history of the Fastnet Race, the race course has been modified. Traditionally the race was from Cowes, round the Fastnet and back to Plymouth. This year to accommodate a record number of yachts, the race will finish in Cherbourg in France. This makes the race 100 miles longer and will take an additional day to complete. Expect around 6 days of racing !

Includes:  3:1 race tuition, race entry fees, fuel, marina fees, all food during the races, lunches during the training weekends and use of our offshore waterproof clothing. Team members will also be issued with branded team jacket and t-shirt. Team members are also welcome to participate in delivery of the yacht to and from the Fastnet race at no extra cost.

Whats not included:

The race starts in Cowes in the Isle of Wight and finishes in Cherbourg in France, transport costs to and from the yacht are not included. Transport costs if the yacht is stormbound and you need to make it back for work after the race is also not included. Sleeping bags, waterproof footwear, head torch and knife are essential pieces of personal kit which are not included. Dinners the night before and after the race as we usually eat out in a restaurant. Personal travel insurance which covers offshore yacht racing is also a compulsory requirement, this costs around €60- €90 for the duration of the campaign. After two fatalities in ocean racing in 2017 it has now become mandatory for each competitor to have a personal AIS beacon. If you fall overboard and you activate this beacon it allows your own vessel ( and other competing vessels and rescue services) to see your position in real time. This a small, simple but invaluable piece of kit that will be of great use to you after the campaign. These cost around £160, but there is an option to sell it to our future competitors if you feel you do not need one after the campaign.

Booking Conditions:

A 50% deposit of the total campaign fee secures your place on the campaign. This deposit is fully refundable up until the 1st  February 2023, upon this date you must decide to retrieve your deposit or pay up in full. After this date the payment for the campaign is not refundable. However, if we can offer your place to another participant, we will refund you the amount paid by the participant. This is never guaranteed, and cannot be provided after training commences. However in the past we have had a waiting list of people hoping for a last minute cancellation. Our full booking conditions and application form is provided before you make payment of a deposit.

• Full Terms and Conditions

2024 Rolex Middle Sea Race Draws an Impressive Fleet

Press Release

24 September, 2024

A close of business on  Friday, 20th September the 45th Rolex Middle Sea Race, which starts on 19th October 2024, had amassed a fleet of 110 yachts. The entrants represent 29 countries: from Australia in the south to Finland in the north, and from the United States in the west to Hong Kong in the east. It is an exceptional, diverse and highly competitive fleet. The Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) and its race organizing committee are thrilled with the continued enthusiasm shown for this classic race. Should anyone still wish to join the adventure, the RMYC has reserved the right to accept late entries up until Friday, 27 September.

The raw facts are as follows: 109 monohulls, the largest of which are Scallywag 100 and Black Jack 100, both 30.48 metres (100 feet) in length; the smallest yacht is Muttley-BDM Audit at 9.75m (32ft); and, remarkably, France with 21 crews is matching Italy for the most entries, a first for the race. There is one multihull, the Rapido 53 XS Picomole launched in April 2023, and which successfully took on the Aegean 600 earlier this year.

The monohull fleet will be racing under IRC Time Correction for the Rolex Middle Sea Race trophy, awarded to the overall winner of the race. The magnificent sculpture was created by Emanuel ‘Emvin’ Cremona for the first race in 1968, and is a worthy trophy for an event of this stature.

“ The Royal Malta Yacht Club is thrilled that such a talented and wide-ranging fleet is set to grace the magnificent Rolex Middle Sea Race course this year ,” said RMYC Commodore David Cremona. “ We are looking forward to hosting this truly international fleet come October. Our welcome will be as hospitable as always and, together with our many race partners, we are working hard to make sure the experience for all crews is exceptional .”

Plenty of crews will have their eye on the main trophy, not least those that have won it before. The most recent past winner is Andrea Recordati’s Bullitt, the 28.3m Judel & Vrolijk designed Wally Yacht, which claimed overall victory by 24 seconds from the much smaller Red Ruby last year. Bullitt was the first ever Wally to participate in the Rolex Middle Sea Race, and the only one to have successfully completed the course. A feat achieved twice. Géry Trentesaux, the winner in 2018 with Courrier Recommandé, returns with his latest yacht, the Sydney 43 Courrier Long. Trentesaux almost secured back to back wins, finishing second in 2019. The winners that year famously did achieve consecutive wins. The Maltese Podesta siblings, Aaron, Christoph and Maya Podesta, managing in 2019 and 2020 something no yacht had managed since Nita’s three-peat in 1978,79 and 80. Lee Satariano, with co-skipper Christian Ripard, has tasted victory on two occasions in 2011 and 2014 with his previous yacht, the J/121. The current HH42 Artie III finished second in class in 2022, so has potential. Christian Ripard has won the race in his own right as skipper of the J/105 Bigfoot in 1996, and this year reaches 34 races matching the current record set by another local hero, Arthur Podesta, who sadly passed away in 2015.

Another winning owner is American Bryan Ehrhardt, who won in 2010 with his then TP52 Lucky on his debut appearance. Ehrhardt has upgraded his boat of choice over the intervening period and last year entered his latest Lucky, the former five-time line honours winner Rambler 88. Dismasted off north west Sicily in 2023, Ehrhardt is undeterred and back again. Last, but by no means least, Eric de Turckheim returns to the scene of his triumph in 2022 with the same yacht, Teasing Machine. This NMYD 54 is always a threat at any offshore contest.

This small selection is not the only talent on display. A number of debutant teams will carry plenty of experience into the fray, with reputations to match. The two most powerful yachts, on paper at least, Scallywag 100 and Black Jack 100 are proven line honours winners in both their current and their former guises. Black Jack, in particular, had success in finishing first on elapsed time at the Rolex Middle Sea Race as Alfa Romeo 2 in 2006, and then Esimit Europa 2 between 2010 and 2014. Meanwhile, Scallywag from Hong Kong, owned by Seng-Huang Lee and skippered by David Witt, is the former Maximus, which raced here in 2006 finishing second behind Alfa Romeo 2. Black Jack recently changed hands, and the new owner, Remon Vos from The Netherlands, has already notched up line honours success this summer at the Giraglia and subsequently the Palermo-Montecarlo Race, where the crew set a new course record in the process. The third debutante of note is Didier Gaudoux, who secured victory at the Rolex Fastnet Race in 2017. Gaudoux’s latest yacht is Lann Ael 3, a Manuard-Nivelt design, specifically configured to be sailed double-handed. Its abilities were also proven at the Giraglia this year, where Gaudoux, racing two-handed with Ewan Tabarly, put in a storming performance to win overall.

Other credentials to be considered include Franco Niggeler’s Swiss Cookson 50 Kuka 3, third in class in 2023 and a past winner of the RORC Transatlantic Race; Red Bandit, winner of the 2023 Giraglia; and Black Pearl, which campaigned their previous yacht, a Carkeek 47, to a class win in 2019. Now racing a water-ballasted Botin 56, the crew were overall winners at the Aegean 600 in 2024.

Three female skippered yachts deserve mention too. Linda Goddard’s Swan 53 Bedouin from Australia, has twice participated in the Aegean 600 and recently took part in the Rolex Swan Cup in Sardinia, finishing second in class. Nikki Henderson, the youngest ever skipper to lead a Clipper Round the World Race team, takes charge of the First 53 Yagiza. In 2019, Henderson led the all-women crew on JYS Jan in the Rolex Middle Sea Race. Ursula Berger’s mostly Austrian crew on Sportski Vuk 44 have sailed together since 2017. Their first attempt at the Rolex Middle Sea Race ended in disappointment when, along with close to 50% of the fleet, they were forced to retire due to a lack of wind on the course. In this regard, the race is unfinished business.

These are just a few of the highlights. There are many more stories within this impressive, international fleet, and no doubt many surprises waiting to happen once the race gets underway.

The 45th Rolex Middle Sea Race will start on Saturday, 19 October 2024. Late entries will be accepted up until Friday, 27 September.

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Published on July 24th, 2023 | by Editor

Brutal conditions for record-setting Fastnet Race

Published on July 24th, 2023 by Editor -->

The 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race set sail with 430 yachts on July 22 – up from the previous record of 388 that took the last pre-COVID race in 2019.

While pundits were comparing the wind for the 50th edition to that of the last Rolex Fastnet Race in 2021, in fact it was gustier with a densely overcast sky, drizzle that built to rain, and enough mist to obscure the mainland.

However, what was consistent was the heinous washing machine sea-state that competitors encountered at the western exit of the Solent at Hurst Narrows, as they passed the Isle of Wight’s most famous landmark, the Needles and beyond. As usual this built increasingly with the ebb tide, especially affecting the smaller yachts.

It was a brutal first night at sea with numerous retirements and many others seeking temporary shelter from the gale force conditions in the English Channel.

By the first morning, 86 had officially retired, comprising 78 across the IRC fleet (the biggest number being 27 in IRC Two) plus two Class40s, two IMOCAs, three MOCRA multihulls and one Ocean 50 trimaran.

In the severe conditions, HM Coastguard reported involvement in 28 incidents, including one sinking. Said the event statement, “At approximately 16:30 yesterday afternoon the Sun Fast 3600 Vari began to take on water southwest of the Needles. Thanks to the swift response of the emergency services both crew members were evacuated to Yarmouth, Isle of Wight and are safe and well. The boat is believed to have sunk although the exact reasons are not yet confirmed.”

Several calls to HM Coastguard were to do with injured crew. Otherwise, four yachts dismasted – Heather Tarr’s Yoyo from Ireland; Nick Martin’s Diablo; Bertrand Daniels’ Mirabelle and Tapio Lehtinen’s Swan 55 yawl Galiana (due to compete in the Ocean Globe Race shortly).

In addition, Azora sustained broken steering, Dulcissima a loss of rigging, while Richard Matthews’ CF520 Oystercatcher XXXV sustained deck failure and Oida ran aground after her anchor dragged.

There were several other incidents in which HM Coastguard was not involved, including the mast foot exploding on Long Courrier who retired to Cowes – the only occasion race veteran and 2015 winner Géry Trentesaux has retired from this race.

Fifteen registered entries didn’t start, including one of the race favorites – Peter Morton’s Maxi 72 Notorious in IRC Super Zero.

Good news did arrive on day two as after a tough first 24 hours, conditions had abated in the English Channel and Celtic Sea. Between Land’s End and the Scilly Isles, there were reports of 17 knots from 250°, dropping to 15 for the second night, with the wind in the western English Channel typically 10-15 knots.

But well ahead of that was François Gabart and his team on the 100-foot SVR Lazartigue as they crossed the finish line at 21:38:27 BST on July 23, setting a new record of 1 day 8 hours 38 minutes 27 seconds, breaking the time set by Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier on Maxi Groupe Edmond de Rothschild two years ago by 36 minutes 27 seconds.

The 32m long by 23m wide, foil-borne, flying Ultim trimarans are by far the biggest, fastest offshore race boats on the planet, with the gale force winds making little impression

“It is never easy to leave the Solent and doing it in an Ultim is even more difficult,” admitted Gabart. “Doing it with 400 boats around you is harder still. And if you do it upwind…in 25 knots…! It is not easy! We were happy to make it out of the Solent. I think if there had been more than 30 knots at Hurst, we wouldn’t have done it. After that the waves were strong, but we could still race and in the end, we broke nothing.”

Event information – Entry list – Facebook

A record-sized fleet got underway for the 50th edition of Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Rolex Fastnet Race from Cowes on July 22, 2023. For a second consecutive occasion, the course departed from the UK but has a French finish in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin via a 695 nautical mile course via the Fastnet Rock.

Tags: Fastnet Race , François Gabart , records

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