Dmitry Rybolovlev's ClubSwan 125 Skorpios takes Rolex Fastnet Race monohull line honours
by Andy Rice / RORC 10 Aug 2021 14:52 PDT
8-14 August 2021
Dmitry Rybolovlev's ClubSwan 125 Skorpios - Rolex Fastnet Race © Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com
Dates announced for the 50th Rolex Fastnet Race - The world's largest offshore race. Save the date: 22nd July-28th July 2023 Cowes-Fastnet Rock-Cherbourg-en-Cotentin ©Kurt Arrigo / Rolex
The arrival of the Rolex Fastnet Race fleet in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin creates a festival atmosphere ©Paul Wyeth / pwpictures.com
Tom Kneen and crew on his JPK 11.80 Sunrise - jubilant after winning the Fastnet Challenge Cup in the 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race ©Paul Wyeth / pwpictures.com
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Dmitry Rybolovlev's ClubSwan 125 Skorpios took line honours in the Rolex Fastnet Race this evening, after crossing the finish line in Cherbourg at 2015 BST. Their total elapsed time for completing the 695 nautical mile course from Cowes to Cherbourg was 2 days, 8 hours, 35 minutes and 5 seconds.
Competing in her first offshore race, the recently launched Skorpios came through a brutal first 12 hours of the race in good shape. As the breeze softened, Skorpios extended away from her chief rivals for line honours including previous winner George David's Rambler 88 and the strong IMOCA fleet.
Having only started sailing in the last few years, this was owner Dmitry Rybolovlev's first offshore race which he experienced with his daughter Anna Rybolovleva, also her first time offshore racing. "We're very pleased with the boat, the team was great. We want to thank the whole team for such great efforts. We were trying to stay conservative, especially in the high wind at the start, but we're excited to see what the boat can do in future races. Rounding the Fastnet Rock was kind of magical, it felt like a really special moment."
Skipper Fernando Echavarri was relieved to have come through the Rolex Fastnet Race with the boat intact. "The boat is very strong, we backed off on speed coming out of the Solent, but so was everyone else," said the Spanish professional. "We had an idea of what the boat might be able to do, but we didn't know for sure, so we learned a lot on this race.
"The owner is super happy, he's a good sailor but new to offshore sailing and he enjoyed the experience a lot. I think there is a very good chance we will be back for the Rolex Fastnet Race."