The centenary edition of the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race begins on Saturday 26 July. Both the race and its organizer, the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), have been supported by Rolex since 2001.
The Rolex Fastnet Race, one of the most important biannual offshore sailing competitions, starts from the Royal Yacht Squadron line on Saturday, 26 July, 2025, prior to the annual Cowes Week festivities. The port town of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin in France will continue to host the finish for the third time. The only Title Sponsor this legendary contest has had, the Swiss watchmaker regards the partnership as a significant element within its wider relationship with yachting.
Learn a bit more about Rolex’s relationship with yachting here.
Founded in 1925, the Fastnet Race is a biennial offshore yacht race organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (established in 1925 and received royal approval by King George V in 1931) with the assistance of the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes and the city of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin in France. It is named after the most southerly point of Ireland, the Fastnet Rock, which the race course rounds – marking roughly the halfway point.
The Rolex Fastnet Race is considered one of the world’s toughest and tactically challenging offshore races. Since its inception, the Fastnet Race has proven highly influential in the growth of offshore racing, and remains closely linked to advances in yacht design, sailing technique and equipment. The race is more than a simple matter of speed. It is a strategic and navigational challenge shaped by unpredictable weather and complex waters, one that unfolds across a series of distinct stages.
Rolex Yachtsman of the Year in 1998 and Rolex Testimonee since 2000, the American Paul Cayard has had an amazing sailing career spanning over 30 years. He has won seven world championships, and participated twice in the Olympic Games and seven times in the America’s Cup. In 2002 he was elected into the Sailing World Hall of Fame. ‘The Rolex Fastnet Race is a rite of passage for any sailor. It is a relentless and often brutal challenge. It demands a multitude of skills – navigational and tactical awareness, flawless preparation, exemplary teamwork and resilience in the face of the harshest conditions.’ – he shares.
The centenary edition of the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race will welcome a fleet well in excess of 450 yachts representing 30 countries. Rolex has been sponsoring the Fastnet Race since 2001, and awarding a special watch to the Fastnet Challenge Cup winner.
Follow the race and discover more about the international teams on the YouTube channel of the Royal Ocean Racing Club.
Source: press release. Photo credits: Rolex.
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