Race Preview: A Special Centenary Rolex Fastnet Race
Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), the Rolex Fastnet Race is one of the the world’s most iconic offshore yacht races and this year’s edition, which gets underway on Saturday 26 July, will be especially momentous as it marks both the 100th anniversary of the inaugural race in 1925 and the RORC’s founding. And Clipper Events has opened up the opportunity to race on five of its powerful, evenly matched 68ft global race yachts for this iconic campaign.
Attracting sailing professionals, household names, enthusiasts and grassroots sailors from all over the globe, this double centenary celebration of yacht racing will see over 460 entries – including the five Clipper Events’ yachts – line up together on the Cowes start line to race a challenging 696 nautical mile route via The Needles and Land’s End, to the iconic Fastnet Rock and returning via the Isles of Scilly to Cherbourg, France where the record-size fleet will celebrate its achievements.
A test of inshore and offshore sailing, the Clipper Events’ teams are led by professional Skippers, First and Second Mates and the campaign is open to everyone over the age of 18 who has either completed Clipper Race training, has a relevant RYA qualification or has some level of sailing experience – with training available for complete newcomers.
Of the Rolex Fastnet Race, Clipper Race Director and previous Clipper Events Rolex Fastnet Race winning skipper, Dale Smyth says:
“The Rolex Fastnet Race is one of the most iconic offshore races in the world. With over a century of history, it is one of the races that every serious sailor has on their bucket list.
Crews taking part on a Clipper 68 can expect a fantastic platform to take on this challenge. The amazing upwind ability when the going gets tough is one of the standout features, with teams often being faced with a harsh upwind slog to “the rock”. These are tough boats and sailing in a one design class with other Clipper 68s makes it even more exciting”.
Dale Smyth at the helm of CV3 during the Rolex Fastnet Race 2023
When looking ahead to conditions for this years’ race, Smyth adds:
“The current long-range forecasts suggest moderate to fresh south-westerly conditions at the start, which could mean a fast and exciting upwind first leg out of the Solent and into the English Channel, perfect for a Clipper 68! Sunday looks slightly more unpredictable before the Westerlies re-establish with a new Low Pressure into the early part of the following week. As always with the Fastnet Race, crews should be prepared for anything and be able to maintain focus and strategy throughout.
For most, the real reward comes not just from the race itself, but from completing it. The sense of achievement after racing one of the most iconic and tough events in offshore sailing is something that stays with sailors long after they’ve crossed the finish line in Cherbourg.”
No walk in the park, in addition to the Rolex Fastnet Race itself, the Clipper Events’ campaign also included two qualifying races – the Myth of Malham and the Cowes-Dinard-St Malo Race which were completed by crew in order to meet the minimum qualifying miles requirement for the race. Additionally, crew members were required to complete RYA First Aid, Offshore Safety, and Sea Survival courses, delivered by our sister company, Hamble School of Yachting.
Kaz Smith, a former Clipper Events 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race crew member and Clipper Race circumnavigator, has returned as Second Mate for this years’ centenary edition. Reflecting on her previous Fastnet campaign, she said: “It was not easy and with some of the weather systems we had it was extremely challenging, with boats pulling out – particularly of the Fastnet race. The Skipper and Mates have to work very hard to prepare the crew for the many eventualities but with that comes an enormous sense of teamwork and pride when you achieve it.”
Kaz Smith on the Cowes-Dinard-St Malo qualifier as Second Mate on CV9
Clipper Events x Rolex Fastnet Race Itinerary
In addition to the training days and qualifying races associated with the campaign, the Clipper Events’ Rolex Fastnet Race itinerary begins on Friday 25 July and runs through to Sunday 3 August.
25 July
AM arrive at Clipper Events HQ, Gosport. Safety brief and training day on the Solent.
PM Crew dinner in Cowes ahead of Race Start.
26 July
1220pm – Rolex Fastnet Race starts (IRC One).
31 July/1 Aug
Expected Race Finish in Cherbourg, France.
01 Aug
Prizegiving and Crew Party in Cherbourg.
02 Aug
Depart Cherbourg for return trip to Gosport
03 Aug
Return to Clipper Events HQ, deep clean and guest depart (PM).
Want to keep up to date with this and all future Clipper Events sailing experiences? Make sure you follow the Clipper Events Facebook or Instagram pages.
Feeling inspired? If you would like to be on the start line for any Clipper Events Iconic Races in 2026, or register your interest for the Fastnet in 2027, head to the Enquire Now page and submit your details.
