Please select your home edition
Edition
Armstrong 728x90 - Performance Mast Range - TOP

A month to go to 2019 Rolex Fastnet Race: 21 IMOCAs registered

by IMOCA Globe Series 3 Jul 2019 22:22 PDT 3 August 2019
Rolex Fastnet Race © Carlo Borlenghi / Rolex

In just one month from now on Saturday 3rd August, 21 double-handed crews in the IMOCA category will line up off Cowes for the start of the 48th Rolex Fastnet Race, the classic biennial offshore race.

Officially part of the IMOCA Globe Series (with a weighting of two) and part of the selection process for the 2020 Vendée Globe, this 608 mile race takes the fleet via the Fastnet Rock to the finish in Plymouth and will be a good test for the double-handed crews preparing for the Transat Jacques Vabre. This is also an important race for a few boats from the latest IMOCA generation, as we will be able to see what they are capable of as they take part in their first race. Gwénolé Gahinet, the winner of the last edition in which he raced with Paul Meilhat, analyses the line-up and the race course for us.

All of the races on the official IMOCA calendar fill up quickly and smash all the records for the number of boats competing. The Rolex Fastnet Race is no exception, as 21 duos have registered with a month to go to the start. In comparison, there were just nine in the last edition back in 2017.

Not one, not two, but three shiny new IMOCAs

Everyone is looking forward to seeing the competitors sailing on boats that have just come out of the yards. That is particularly true in the case of Sébastien Simon and Vincent Riou, who will be taking part aboard Arkea-Paprec (a Kouyoumdjian design). If things go smoothly, Charlie Dalin and Yann Eliès will also be aboard their new monohull, Apivia (a Verdier design). We will also be able to admire Alex Thomson's brand new Hugo Boss (a VPLP design). "For these competitors, the Fastnet Race will above all be a way to test the reliability of their new boats. If the weather cooperates, they will be able to get the most out of their machines. But if the wind gets up and the seas are rough, it will be more complicated for them," explained Gwénolé Gahinet, winner of the race in 2017 with Paul Meilhat on the ex-SMA.

A top class line-up

Paul Meilhat racing with Sam Davies will in fact be one one of the favourites this time. These two excellent sailors will set off aboard Initiatives-Cœur, an IMOCA that has been updated with extremely powerful foils. We will also keep a close eye on Jérémie Beyou and Christopher Pratt, as Charal now seems to be reliable, and on Boris Herrmann (Malizia 2-Yacht Club de Monaco), who is currently in second place in the Globe Series.

There are pairings too in the Rolex Fastnet Race, who will be taking part in their first major race together on some very good boats. That is the case for Yannick Bestaven and Roland Jourdain (Maître CoQ), Kevin Escoffier and Nicolas Lunven (PRB), Isabelle Joschke and Morgan Lagravière (MACSF for the first time as a foiler), Louis Burton and Davy Beaudart (Bureau Vallée 2), Alan Roura and Sébastien Audigane (La Fabrique), and we must not forget Armel Le Cléac'h and Clarisse Crémer on Banque Populaire, an IMOCA that Gwénolé Gahinet knows well, as she is the former SMA. "This is the type of race where that boat is capable of winning, particularly as she sails well upwind," he said. "Armel finished second on her sistership in the 2012-2013 Vendée Globe and will know how to sail her."

Then, there are the crews that know each other well, such as Fabrice Amedeo and Eric Péron (Newrest-Art and Fenêtres), Damien Seguin and Yoann Richomme (Groupe Apicil) and Miranda Merron and Halvard Mabire (Campagne de France). For the latter pair, this is an occasion to adapt to the boat. "In general, I'd say that the standard is fairly even and I'm looking forward to a great contest," explained Gwénolé Gahinet. "I'm pleased too that the line-up reflects the class's move towards sustainable development, as this is a subject that is very important to me."

A race that is worth watching

The race course, which is 608 miles long and part of the selection process for the Vendée Globe, is highly technical. The competitors will set off from Cowes, round the Fastnet lighthouse and then sail back down to Plymouth. "Even in the middle of summer, there are often very varied conditions and it can be rough," analysed Gwénolé Gahinet. "In the Celtic Sea, you have to deal with the various weather systems, ridges of high pressure and the influence of low-pressure systems. It can in fact look like some of the legs in the Solitaire du Figaro race, as they have to tack along the coast making the most of local effects and currents. It's fantastic to be able to take part in races like the Fastnet Race, where professionals and amateurs come together on small and big boats. It's good too to be able to show off the IMOCAs to British sailing enthusiasts. This race is really worth watching."

Entry list - Rolex Fastnet Race 2019:

  • Ariel2 - Ari Huusela
  • Eyesea - Denis van Weynbergh and Lionel Règnier
  • Campagne de France - Miranda Merron and Halvard Mabire
  • Superbigou - Pip Hare
  • Time For Oceans - Stephane le Diraison
  • Groupe Setin - Manuel Cousin and Gildas Morvan
  • Pyrsmian - Giancarlo Pedote
  • Arkea Paprec - Sebastien Simon and Vincent Riou
  • Bureau Vallée 2 - Louis Burton and Davy Beaudart
  • Charal - Jeremie Beyou and Christopher Pratt
  • Hugo Boss - Alex Thomson
  • Initiatives Coeur - Sam Davies and Paul Meilhat
  • La Fabrique - Alan Roura and Sébastien Audigane
  • MACSF - Isabelle Joschke and Morgan Lagravière
  • Maitre Coq - Yannick Bestaven and Roland Jourdain
  • Malizia - Boris Herrmann
  • Newrest Art et Fenêtres - Fabrice Amedeo and Eric Peron
  • PRB - Kevin Escoffier and Nicolas Lunven
  • Banque Populaire - Clarisse Crémer and Armel Le Cléac'h
  • Groupe Apicil - Damien Seguin and Yoann Richomme
  • V And B - Maxime Sorel

Related Articles

Everything to know about The Ocean Race Europe
One month to go to the race start in Kiel One month out from the start of the 2025 edition of The Ocean Race Europe seven mixed-gender crews made up of sailors from across 13 nations are in the throes of their final preparations for the Race start in Kiel, Germany. Posted on 10 Jul
The Ocean Race Europe Video Preview
We speak to Phil Lawrence, Peter Rusch & Pip Hare to find out more The Ocean Race Europe will take place between 10 August & 21 September, following a debut event in the summer of 2021. The racing is in IMOCA yachts, the same as the Vendée Globe, but this time with 4 crew and an OBR who will document the action on board. Posted on 8 Jul
Tom Dolan flies to the finish in Course des Caps
Irish offshore champion finishes 5th in 2,000-nautical-mile race around Britain and Ireland Irish offshore sailor Tom Dolan has completed the Course des Caps in an impressive 5th place, racing aboard the IMOCA 60 Charal alongside legendary skipper Jérémie Beyou. Posted on 7 Jul
Goodchild takes his first win in the IMOCA Class
After a dominant performance in the Course des Caps The British skipper Sam Goodchild celebrated his first victory in the IMOCA Class yesterday after crossing the finish line of the Course des Caps - Boulogne-sur-Mer - Banque Populaire du Nord, a 1,800-nautical mile sprint around Britain and Ireland. Posted on 6 Jul
Biotherm has arrived in Kiel
Ahead of the Start of The Ocean Race Europe on 10th August At 1:00 am on Saturday 5 July, Biotherm came alongside in Kiel's marina, north-east Germany, following a 48-hour delivery trip across the Baltic Sea. Posted on 6 Jul
Team Malizia secures 4th in Course des Caps
After thrilling high-speed finale to Boulogne-sur-Mer After six days of intense racing around the British Isles, Team Malizia crossed the finish line in Boulogne-sur-Mer to secure an impressive fourth place in the Course des Caps 2025. Posted on 5 Jul
Holcim-PRB finishes 3rd in the Course des Caps
Despite a bowsprit failure occurring just 40 nautical miles from the finish After 6 days, 4 hours, and 26 minutes of intense sailing around the British Isles, the Holcim-PRB crew crossed the finish line of the Course des Caps Boulogne-sur-Mer – Banque Populaire du Nord, completing a route as demanding as it was strategic. Posted on 5 Jul
MACIF Santé Prévoyance wins Course des Caps Race
An exceptional performance in terms of speed and focus throughout the race This Saturday, July 5, the IMOCA MACIF Santé Prévoyance crossed the finish line of the Cape Race in Boulogne-sur-Mer in first place. After six days at sea, the crew achieved an exceptional performance in terms of speed and focus throughout the race. Posted on 5 Jul
Sam Goodchild in the Course des Caps
The final phase is full of potential pitfalls Sam Goodchild, the British skipper of MACIF Santé Prévoyance who has been dominating the IMOCA round Britain and Ireland race since the start of the third day, says the goal now is to focus on the complex finishing section. Posted on 4 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race IRC One preview
Beyond the French legends there is plenty of international talent with podium potential With 17 editions of the Rolex Fastnet Race to his name, including five class victories along the way and an outright victory in 2015, could anyone bet against Géry Trentesaux doing it again? Posted on 4 Jul
Maritimo M600Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_SY BOTTOMBarton Marine Pipe Glands