Radiance and new legends

Centenary of the Rolex Fastnet Race

To celebrate its centenary, the Rolex Fastnet Race put on an exceptional show. After setting off from Cowes on July 26, 444 boats set off for 695 nautical miles across the English Channel and Celtic Sea to the legendary Fastnet Rock, before returning to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. In changing conditions, each category delivered its own tale of victory, panache and emotion.

Prestigious multihulls and monohulls in the spotlight

In the multihull category, the Ultim SVR-Lazartigue, skippered for the first time by Tom Laperche, made its mark by winning the Line Honours and retaining its title, completing the course in 1 day, 4 hours, 2 minutes and 53 seconds. Surrounded by the likes of Franck Cammas and Peter Burling, the young sailor sailed a masterful race, taking the lead from the very first miles along the English coast thanks to a perfect start and inspired tactical choices. “Two participations and already two victories… this race is writing an unforgettable page in the great history of sailing for me,” assures the young Morbihan sailor. Behind him, Banque Populaire XI and Actual Ultim 4 were locked in a tight duel for the places of honor. Among the monohulls, the maxi Black Jack 100, owned by Dutchman Remon Vos and helmed by Tristan Le Brun, claimed victory in real time in Cherbourg after 2 days, 12 hours, 31 minutes and 28 seconds of sailing, resisting the comeback of SHK Scallywag, relegated to less than an hour, and Leopard 3, which arrived five minutes later in a suspenseful race that remained intact right to the end.

Suspense and emotion in the IMOCA class

First place in the IMOCA class went to Élodie Bonafous (Queguiner – Association Petits Princes), who made history by becoming the first woman to win the event in this category. At just 29 years of age, she took the lead over Jérémie Beyou’s Charal and Yoann Richomme’s Paprec Arkéa, crossing the line seven minutes ahead after a particularly hard-fought return leg from the Fastnet rock. For Switzerland, Justine Mettraux put in a solid performance aboard TeamWork – Team Snef, finishing the race in fifth place, her best result since the launch of her 60-foot program. After leaving the Solent in the lead, the sailor saw her ambitions thwarted by an unsuccessful strategic option that led her into a windless bubble off the Scilly Islands: “We missed the train, the leaders left with air that we didn’t have. The crew stayed focused and I was able to push the boat beyond what I do solo,” she explains, already looking ahead to her next goals.

The doublehand triumph at the centenary

The IRC Overall ranking, which determines the winner of all categories on corrected time, crowned Alexis Loison and Jean-Pierre Kelbert’s JPK 1050 Léon. Their triumph, initially forged by a first-place finish in IRC Two, grew stronger as the miles went by, until it became indisputable overnight. In a record-breaking fleet, ranging from fine keelboats to giant trimarans, this perfectly matched tandem shone with the precision of its choices and its mastery from start to finish.

A birthday to match his legend

Between dazzling successes, unexpected performances and high-level confrontations, this anniversary edition offered a rare condensation of intensity. One hundred years after its creation, the Rolex Fastnet Race remains one of the most prestigious and demanding events in ocean racing, capable of writing new pages of legend with each edition.

Admiral’s Cup 2025: the Yacht Club de Monaco triumphs in its first participation

The Yacht Club de Monaco, competing for the first time in the Admiral’s Cup, wins the prestigious trophy after a thrilling finale to the decisive event. At the helm of Jolt 6, Pierre Casiraghi, and on Jolt 3, Peter Harrison, led an exemplary campaign, combining tactical rigor, team spirit and consistency of effort. It all came down to the final leg, the legendary Fastnet Race, the culmination of a three-stage format (Channel Race, inshore races in the Solent, then the 695-mile course to the Irish Rock). In AC Class 2, Jolt 6 snatched victory on corrected time by just a few seconds, at the end of a race in which precise maneuvering made all the difference. “Winning the Admiral’s Cup for Monaco’s first participation is indescribable,” confides Casiraghi, praising the “total commitment” of his crew and the precision of navigator Will Harris. In AC Class 1, Jolt 3 completes the podium thanks to impeccable strategic choices and flawless execution. “This is probably the greatest result of my career,” says Harrison, proud of a team built on trust and experience, and reinforced by internationally renowned sailors. With two class podiums, a final margin of sixteen points in the overall ranking and success against prestigious rivals, the Principality joins the select circle of winners of this legendary event, resurrected after an absence of over twenty years. “We’re a small country, but this title proves that we can achieve great things,” concludes Casiraghi, offering the new generation of Monegasque sailors a model of inspiration.