100th anniversary edition Rolex Fastnet Race kicks off
by Quinag 26 Jul 12:51 PDT
26 July 2025
The 100th anniversary edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race underlined its position as the world's largest offshore race as 444 yachts set off from Cowes, England.
Ahead lie 696 nautical miles of technically challenging, resilience testing waters before the finish in Cherbourg, France. The diverse fleet of elite professionals, skilled Corinthians and passionate adventurers enjoyed a calmer start than in the past two editions, making good progress out of The Solent and along the English Channel towards the more open waters of the Celtic Sea.
First held in 1925, the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race is organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club. Rolex has partnered the event and club since 2001. The historic contest marked by tales of human achievement, is one of the foundations of the Swiss Watchmaker's near 70-year association with the sport of yachting.