Please select your home edition
Edition
J Composites J/45

Rolex Fastnet Race: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin finish confirmed for the next two editions

by Louay Habib / RORC 9 Sep 15:00 BST
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin will continue to host the finish of the legendary Rolex Fastnet Race © Arthur Daniel / RORC

The Royal Ocean Racing Club is delighted to announce that for 2025 and 2027 the port town of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin will continue to host the finish of the famous biennial Rolex Fastnet Race.

The 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race will be held during the Club's centenary year when another record entry is expected.

The 51st edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race starts from the Royal Yacht Squadron line on Saturday 26th July, 2025, prior to the annual Cowes Week festivities.

From seven participants in its first edition in 1925, the 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race attracted a record 430 boats. For the next edition, the RORC is planning for an even larger international fleet. Entries for the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race are expected to be even higher due to the 100th anniversary of the Royal Ocean Racing Club and the return of the Admiral's Cup.

Since 2021, the Rolex Fastnet Race finish has been in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin due to the port's outstanding facilities which can accommodate the world record fleet. The Rolex Fastnet Race has the support of the City, the Communauté d'Agglomération du Cotentin, and the Département de la Manche & Région Normandie. Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is one of France's great Channel ports, closely linked to naval history and transatlantic adventures, and the Cotentin coast is home to many prominent water sports events.

"Continuing to bring the Rolex Fastnet Race finish to Cherbourg retains the established attractions of the marine facilities, the town and surrounding Cotentin peninsula as part of the legendary offshore race," commented RORC Commodore Deb Fish. "The Race Village in Cherbourg will once again provide superb modern facilities for competitors and play host to thousands of race fans from all over the world."

"The Normandy Region is delighted to announce the arrival of the 2025 and 2027 editions of the Rolex Fastnet Race in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. It's a beautiful showcase for Normandy, which is increasingly establishing itself each year as a region of sailing, open to the sea. We are particularly proud to support the organisation of this race, which brings together the biggest names in sailing and contributes to the promotion of this sector where the Region realises over 6 million Euros each year," commented Hervé Morin, President of Région Normandie.

"La Manche is a rich maritime area and knows how to host great events. It demonstrated it this year with the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings and the passage of the Olympic Flame through the department. It is therefore with great enthusiasm that after a record 2023 edition we will once again welcome in 2025 and 2027, both at sea and on land, the legendary international sailing race of the Rolex Fastnet Race. Our common strategy was to make sailing a strong development core aim for our territory and we can confirm that we have succeeded in our strategy for the future," said Jean Morin, President of Département de la Manche.

"Welcoming the Rolex Fastnet Race for the next two editions places the Cotentin on the map of major offshore races in France. With our 220 kilometres of coastline, hosting this legendary sailing race is an opportunity to show our maritime strengths. Indeed, our nautical infrastructures make the Cotentin a prime playground for all sailors. Here, in the Terre Bleue, we grow up with the sea and the rhythm of the tides. The sea has shaped our identity and contributes to our prosperity and dynamism. This event offers the opportunity to celebrate our relationship with our Anglo-Irish neighbours and reminds us that we share the same common space: The Channel," commented David Margueritte, President of l'Agglomération du Cotentin.

"For its 100th anniversary, the Rolex Fastnet Race confirms its arrival to Cherbourg-en- Cotentin. By setting course for our port and France since 2021, the legendary event has given itself a new lease of life. And it's a success: the finish is now a huge party in a town whose heart beats to the rhythm of the sailors. We're giving this unique fleet and its crews welcome recognition, and this race establishes Cherbourg-en-Cotentin as one of the great ports of ocean racing. It's further proof that the two shores of the Channel have so much in common," commented Benoît Arrivé City Mayor of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin," commented Benoît Arrivé, City Mayor of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin.

For more information about the Rolex Fastnet Race, visit the official website: www.rolexfastnetrace.com

Related Articles

A worthy 50th Rolex Fastnet Race
As ever, the fleet was hugely diverse The 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race proved near perfect as a celebration of the 50th running of the Royal Ocean Racing Club's flagship event. As a reminder of what a brutal race it can be, its giant fleet set off from the Solent into a southwesterly gale. Posted on 3 Aug 2023
Rolex Fastnet Race 2023 - Pip Hare
The inspirational Pip Hare sailed the Fastnet with NIck Bubb in her Open 60, Medallia British sailor Pip Hare has long been an inspiration to the Bow Caddy team, so it was a real pleasure to meet her briefly in Cowes, just before she set off with Mini sailor NIck Bubb on the Fastnet Race in her recently modified IMOCA 60, Medallia. Posted on 29 Jul 2023
Rolex Fastnet Race: 50th edition grows the legacy
Crews were set an immediate and extreme examination of boat-handling and resilience The largest ever fleet in the history of offshore racing spanning fully professional ocean racing greyhounds as well as more Corinthian entries combined with conditions that tested preparation, determination and expertise. Posted on 29 Jul 2023
Doublehanded domination at 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race
Les P'tits Doudous en Duo finished first in IRC Two-Handed One of the strongest competitions within the Royal Ocean Racing Club's 50th Rolex Fastnet Race was in the ever-swelling ranks of IRC Two-Handed, mostly populated from IRC Two and IRC Three. Posted on 28 Jul 2023
Les P'Tits Doudous en Duo save their best to last
Winning IRC Three and IRC Two-Handed in the 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race 81 teams from all over the world entered IRC Three for the Rolex Fastnet Race. The podium was dominated by the French JPK 1010s, but up to the Fastnet Rock it was Cora, the British Sun Fast 3200, which held pole position since the brutal start in Cowes. Posted on 28 Jul 2023
2023 Rolex Fastnet Race - Challenge accepted
Winning the Rolex Fastnet Race is a dream for many passionate offshore sailors Winning the Rolex Fastnet Race is a dream for many passionate offshore sailors. For Max Klink, the owner and skipper of the 15.85m (52ft) Swiss entry Caro, the dream became reality in 2023. Posted on 27 Jul 2023
Juzzy comes good in Rolex Fastnet Race IRC Two
The outcome of IRC Two hung in the balance until the very end The outcome of IRC Two hung in the balance until the very end, but it was Juzzy who came through to win at the end, as the fleet arrived in a wet, wild and windy Cherbourg early on Thursday morning. Posted on 27 Jul 2023
Fournier fires Pintia to victory in IRC One
After a close battle with Sunrise III in the Rolex Fastnet Race Gilles Fournier and his family and friends on Pintia couldn't quite believe they had managed to win IRC One after such a close battle with Sunrise III. Posted on 27 Jul 2023
2023 Rolex Fastnet Race: Caro etched into history
Remaining focused and committed throughout takes passion, belief and determination The Fastnet Challenge Cup is awarded to the overall winner of the Rolex Fastnet Race on time correction. Success is dependent upon possessing the skills and ability to race one's yacht at its full potential, whatever the weather or sea conditions. Posted on 26 Jul 2023
Worthy Class40 winners in the Rolex Fastnet Race
Some of the most impressive offshore racers of this size were competing While there was some serious 40ft competition and much new hardware in IRC Zero, some of the most impressive offshore racers of this size were competing in the Class40. Posted on 26 Jul 2023