Join the ranks of sailing legends and take part in one of the world’s greatest offshore races: the Rolex Fastnet Race 2025.
This isn’t just a race, it’s a campaign. Sign up with Clipper Events and take part in three amazing offshore races, including the iconic Rolex Fastnet Race, a world-famous 695nm route that rounds the legendary lighthouse. Clipper Events will handle everything, from providing expert tuition on board exceptional offshore racing yachts and shore-based courses to foul weather gear and on board catering, ensuring you’ll be able to experience the true adrenaline and achievement of completing one of the top bucket-list adventures in sailing.
Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025, the Rolex Fastnet Race is considered to be one the world’s biggest offshore races and with over 400 yachts competing in 2023, the 2025 centenary year is set to be a historic event with hundreds of boats set to race. This campaign is testing of both inshore and offshore skills, boat and crew preparation and, following the popularity and success of the Rolex Fastnet Race for Clipper Events in 2023, Clipper Ventures will once again be entering a five-strong fleet of Clipper 68′ race yachts into the 2025 edition, offering guests an incredible opportunity to participate in this iconic and historic event, and compete for the Clipper Class top spot.
You’ll meet like-minded people from around the world, gain plenty of sailing miles, and create some incredible friendships and memories to last a lifetime.
Sophie O’Neill, a Skipper for Clipper Events on the 2023 campaign summed up the last edition of the race: “It was wild, it was everything, the team are so stoked and happy. I felt really proud to be the Skipper of this yacht. It was the ideal boat for the conditions. When you finish an offshore race, and see your crew smiling when they step off, that’s a great feeling.”
Image: Fastnet Campaign 2023
Harriet McDonald, Race Crew on Courageous, 2023 campaign added: “It felt like an adventure because it was just so varied. There were bits that were really, really tough and challenging, and you had to dig deep. And bits of it were just so enjoyable with such lovely sailing – it was quite a trip!”
Included as part of the race campaign, participants will be required take part in two qualifying races in the lead up to the Rolex Fastnet Race itself. These races are:
Qualifying Race 1: Myth of Malham Race 23-27 May 2025 235nm racing from Cowes to the Eddystone Lighthouse, finishing back at Cowes.
Qualifying Race 2: Cowes-Dinard-St Malo Race 10-14 July 2025 151nm cross-Channel race from Cowes, finishing in St Malo.
Main event: Rolex Fastnet Race 25 July- 3 August 2025 695nm from Cowes to Fastnet Rock, finishing in Cherbourg.
Crew will also complete three compulsory shore-based training courses with Hamble School of Yachting as part of the race campaign.
RYA First Aid course
RYA/ISAF World Sailing Offshore Safety course
RYA Sea Survival course
These courses are one day each and will be run over various weekends in the lead up to the Rolex Fastnet Race 2025 between March and May 2025.
Image: Fastnet Campaign 2023 winners: Adventurous
The campaign costs just £5,250 per person which includes all race entries and course fees, racing on board a Clipper 68 with professional instruction, use of Musto BR2 offshore foul weather gear, safety equipment and a Musto team kit package to keep, plus all food and accommodation on board the yacht.
The event is open to over 18s, and some sailing experience up to RYA Day Skipper level or Clipper Race training (or equivalent) is required due to the nature of the races. However, Clipper Events encourages a range of people to get involved, regardless of previous experience. Contact Clipper Events direct to discuss, and the team can talk through some extra sail training available ahead of the event for those who have limited experience and want to race.
All participants will receive expert professional tuition and leadership from Clipper Events skippers and mates throughout the campaign. The qualifying races and training courses will give participants plenty of time on the water to learn the ropes and build some offshore experience, as well as learning some key safety skills and gaining valuable qualifications. It’s set to be an epic campaign, and rounding the Fastnet Rock is something that sticks with sailors for a lifetime.
Watch the highlights from the 2023 campaign:
Make 2025 the year you take on something exceptional- book now!
