Rolex Fastnet: Day 2 - First Ultims round Fastnet Rock. Supermaxis line-up
by Richard Gladwell in Cowes 27 Jul 10:14 PDT
The Ultims SVR Lazartigue and Ultim Actual 3 at the start of the Rolex Fastnet Race - Cowes - July 26, 2025 © Richard Gladwell - Sail-World.com/nz
The first boats in the 2025 Rolex Fastnet race have rounded the Fastnet Rock, and are on the second of the three legs of the 695nm course.
First around was the French (aren't they all?) Ultim SVR Lazartigue which rounded at 1520hrs local time, followed by Banque Populaire an hour later, with Actual Ultim 4 at 1706hrs. The fourth boat Sudebo Ultim 3 rounded at 1800hrs local time.
The four 100ft foiling trimarans are now sailing fast downwind to round the Scilly Isles before heading for the finish at the French port of Cherbourg.
All four are hitting speeds in excess of 30kts, but having to sail quite extreme angles to maintain apparent windspeed while they attempt to reach the Scillys which are believed to be directly downwind from the Fastnet Rock, if theyare sailing in the predicted NW breeze.
SVR Lazartigue (skippered by Tom Lapeche) is the current race record holder with a time set in the 2023 event of 32.5hrs to compete the 695nm course.
Although he has been joined by three times America's Cup winner, with Emirates Team New Zealand, Peter Burling, along with Volvo Round the World Race winner Franck Cammas, the record is not expected to be broken this year.
Behind the 100ft multihulls, thre 100ft supermaxi monohulls are lined up side by side and are aiming at the Fastnet Rock. The leader is still SHK Scallywag skippered by David Witt, with Black Jack 100 in second and Leopard third. There is no rounding time predicted, at this stage. However the boats are sailing at a speed of 13kts to the Rock.