Wednesday 30 July 2025
Over the past 24 hours, crews competing in the centenary edition of Rolex Fastnet Race have been streaming into the finish at Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. What began as a trickle soon became a flood that will continue for some time given the record fleet taking on the 695nm course. The pressure has been mounting as the teams squeeze the maximum from their yacht, and strive to outwit the wind, tides and the competition. Several boats have topped the leaderboard, only to be dislodged a few hours later.
With so many boats still racing, it will be some time before the overall winner of the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race is known. Irrespective, whether one wins or not, the greatest satisfaction will always come from giving ones best, and, in finishing the race, accomplishing a life-affirming achievement.
The Rolex Fastnet Race is organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club and has been partnered by Rolex since 2001. The quarter-century partnership represents a significant element within the brand’s wider relationship with yachting which began almost 70 years ago.
