The Rolex Fastnet Race 2023 - Preview

Published 11:38 on 15 Jul 2023

First held in 1925, and staged biennially since the 1930s, the 695 nautical mile (1,287 km) Rolex Fastnet Race is one of the truest tests of offshore sailing skill. Celebrating its 50th edition this year, a record international fleet of over 450 yachts is expected to cross the start line on Saturday, 22 July.

The course runs from Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, England, to Cherbourg, France via the Fastnet Rock off the southern coast of Ireland. The diversity of the competing yachts and sailors demonstrates the multi-layered appeal of the Rolex Fastnet Race. Cutting-edge multihulls and professionally crewed grand prix monohulls share the course with much smaller boats crewed by passionate Corinthians.

This year the REYC will be entering our J109 Trojan. Having spent the sailing season so far qualifying for the race, completing the mandatory training requirements and working on developing and tuning the boat, the crew is as prepared as they can be. A link to the race tracker will be posted when it goes live but if you want a preview of what the event is all about then follow RORC's link below:

Rolex Fastnet Race 2023 - preview

Last updated 20:14 on 1 September 2023