Around 480 boats are expected to turn up at the start line for the Rolex Fastnet Race! The organisers are expecting this record fleet from the Royal Ocean Racing Club, which is heading bow to bow with its famous long-distance race towards its 100th anniversary: the first Fastnet Race was held in 1925, after which the club was founded. This summer, both are celebrating their centenaries hand in hand.
Foiling mastermind Burling for "SVR-Lazartigue"
It's fitting that the most successful sailor of his generation is also taking part. Peter Burling, three-time America's Cup winner with Emirates Team New Zealand (2017, 2021, 2024), 2016 Olympic champion and 2021 silver medallist in the 49er, successful SailGP helmsman and foiling expert, will be contesting the upcoming Fastnet anniversary ride on one of the fastest boats: the trimaran "SVR Lazartigue" with skipper Tom Laperche.
Peter Burling's track record speaks for itself. Now the nine-time 49er world champion will be competing in the Rolex Fastnet Race on 26 July with the Ultim-Tri "SVR-Lazartigue" in XXXL format. Burling said of the new challenge for him: "When they contacted me, the decision to take part in the Rolex Fastnet Race was an easy one. I've always loved offshore racing - that's what drew me to The Ocean Race."
Peter Burling's favourite thing to do is storm the summits of his sport. Now another one is imminent, as he himself says: "The Ultim class is the pinnacle of high-performance sailing. These boats are incredibly innovative and versatile. I'm really looking forward to being back at sea and learning more about the development of this class. It's a fantastic opportunity to join a team with so much experience on these boats."
Rolex Fastnet Race: "A chance to learn"
According to Peter Burling, he has followed François Gabart's career and everything the team has achieved. It is great that Tom Laperche has taken over the project. Burling says of Gabart, who is also a strong technological mastermind: "He is an exceptional sailor." Project initiator Gabart swaps competitive sport for a longer period of time in favour of sailing around the world with his family and has placed the "SVR-Lazartigue" helm in the hands of Tom Laperche, who will skipper the giant in the Rolex Fastnet Race.
Peter Burling sees the Rolex Fastnet Race as an opportunity to develop himself further. The 34-year-old exceptional sailor and father of a young daughter from Tauranga in New Zealand says: "For me, this is a chance to push myself, learn and work with an excellent crew. I can hardly wait to get started."
Peter is an exceptional sailor." Tom Laperche
The current skipper of the "SVR-Lazartigue" also saw very good reasons for bringing Peter Burling on board. Laperche explained: "François encouraged me to turn to the source of the Anglo-Saxon sailing scene, where some of the best in the business are pushing the limits of these flying boats. We had a shortlist of sailors we wanted to sail with. The New Zealanders have long been leaders in this field. Peter was fully on board from our first conversations. His foiling experience is first class, he is an excellent inshore sailor and I know he will bring a lot to the team."
Admiral's Cup Final in the Rolex Fastnet Race
In addition to Tom Laperche and Peter Burling, "SVR-Lazartigue" will have other offshore aces on board. These include Amélie Grassi, who has just competed in the Gotland Runt with Paul Meilhat and is part of his crew for the Ocean Race Europe. Then there is Franck Cammas, who has just finished third. in the current course of the cap with Nico Lunven on "Holcim-PRB" chasing the two top boats "Macif Santé Prévoyance" with skipper Sam Goodchild and her new sister ship "Association Petits Princes - Queguiner" with skipper Élodie Bonafous. The crew on "SVR-Lazartigue" in the Rolex Fastnet Race is completed by Antoine Gautier and Emilien Lavigne.
The anniversary Fastnet attracts more Ultims, many offshore celebrities and also the 15 teams of the Admiral's Cup fleet to the starting line, who want to celebrate their furious finale of the resurrection of the unofficial world championship for sailing nations with the classic. The Rolex Fastnet Race will feature three German Admiral's Cup teams with two boats each Dozens of other German boats in different classes.
The record number of participants in the race since the last edition in 2023 is 430 boats. This figure is likely to be significantly exceeded. The entry list for the Rolex Fastnet Race can be found here. For the third time this summer, the long-distance race will lead its challengers from Cowes on the Isle of Wight around Fastnet Rock over almost 600 nautical miles to the French finish port of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin.
Looking ahead to the race of the century - the Rolex Fastnet Race 2025:
