One hundred years ago, seven yachts lined up off the Royal Yacht Squadron start line in Cowes for a bold new offshore challenge. Conceived by a group of adventurers and sailors in the wake of the First World War, the 1925 Fastnet Race was more than just a contest—it was the beginning of a movement. That race not only birthed the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) but set a course for offshore racing as we know it today. In 2025, on the 26th of July, the race returns for its centenary edition with the largest and arguably most competitive fleet in its history.
This is Boating New Zealand’s first look at the centenary edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race—a legendary 695-mile challenge that begins once more off Cowes and ends for the third time in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France. Along the way, the route passes through The Solent, out via The Needles Channel, and skirts the southern coast of England to Land’s End. Competitors then cross the Celtic Sea, round the iconic Fastnet Rock off the southwest coast of Ireland, before turning home via the Isles of Scilly and heading to the finish.
The course remains constant in its challenge—complex tidal gates, volatile weather, and relentless tactical decisions. But this year, the race’s significance is historical as much as competitive. From humble beginnings with seven boats, it has evolved into the world’s largest offshore race. In 2023, 430 boats entered. For 2025, over 400 IRC-rated boats alone are confirmed, not including multihulls and classes such as the IMOCAs, Ultimes, and Class40s.
The race’s centenary is more than a celebration of longevity—it’s a marker of evolution. The Rolex Fastnet Race has become a barometer of offshore sailing advancement. Yacht design, rating systems, crew management, and safety protocols have all developed alongside the race itself. It has been a proving ground not just for boats and sailors, but for the very architecture of modern ocean racing.
This year’s centenary is also marked by the reinstatement of the Admiral’s Cup, RORC’s former flagship event. The Cup has attracted a who’s who of offshore sailing—Niklas Zennström’s Rán 8, Max Klink’s Caro (representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron), and Alexis Loison’s new Léon among them. These teams include past winners and record-holders, returning to pit themselves once more against the famously unpredictable conditions of the Channel, Celtic Sea, and Irish coast.
One of the unique aspects of this race is its universality. From 100-foot carbon-fibre grand prix racers such as Black Jack 100, SHK Scallywag, and Leopard 3, to classic yachts like the 1961 ketch Stormvogel and the 1971 Sparkman & Stephens yawl Kialoa II, the race represents an unmatched range of vessels and ambitions. Among the fleet are double-handed entries, family cruisers, and purpose-built offshore machines. Their motivations may vary—from competition to pilgrimage—but all are drawn to this race for what it represents: challenge, heritage, and prestige.
Entry figures for 2025 smashed previous records within minutes. According to RORC Race Director Steve Cole, 217 yachts registered in the first minute of entries opening—an increase from 178 in 2023. Within five minutes, 420 entries were received. Some of the smallest boats, including the First 30 Le Pti.Pere and Sun Fast 30s Gaia and Tok Sailing, will race against technological behemoths like the 32-metre Ultim trimaran Maxi Banque Populaire XI, skippered by Armel Le Cléac’h.
Interestingly, while the list of competitors is closely guarded, it is known that entrants span at least 19 countries—ranging from Kazakhstan to Australia and New Zealand. Among the returning Fastnet veterans is Géry Trentesaux, racing his 18th Fastnet, and 2013 doublehanded champion Alexis Loison, who returns to two-handed racing with a new JPK 10.50 model.
While the IRC fleet remains the backbone of the Fastnet, the IMOCA and multihull divisions continue to gather momentum. After finishing second and third in the Vendée Globe, both Charlie Dalin and Yoann Richomme are expected on the Fastnet start line again, as are Jérémie Beyou (Charal) and Justine Mettraux (TeamWork-Team SNEF).
From a New Zealand perspective, Max Klink’s Caro is a team to watch. Representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and fresh off a dominant 2023 win, the team is aiming to defend its title. Klink himself calls the Fastnet “the iconic offshore race in the world,” and with the Admiral’s Cup back, the stakes are even higher.
The 2025 Fastnet also brings a heritage fleet that tells its own story. From the reappearance of the 1969 Gurney 64 Crusade (which controversially placed second that year), to the timeless elegance of Sunstone, 1965 vintage S&S 40, and Reindeer, a 1969 Swan 43, these yachts bring history to life. And in doing so, they remind us that offshore sailing is about more than results—it’s about enduring stories, shared hardship, and the will to finish.
For now, eyes are on Cowes. On 26 July, one of the greatest gatherings in ocean racing history will surge down the Solent. And in that moment, a century’s worth of salt, sail, and story will be carried on the tide—past The Needles, into the Atlantic, and back again. One race, one rock, one hundred years. The 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race is more than a yacht race—it is a centennial tribute to everything offshore sailing has become.
Further coverage from Boating New Zealand will follow the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race as it unfolds. Stay tuned for updates on Kiwi entries, fleet progress, and race-day conditions.
