Admiral's Cup 2025 in the Rolex Fastnet Race Update - Black Pearl leads the charge around the Rock
by Louay Habib / RORC 28 Jul 05:03 PDT
17 July - 1 August 2025
Black Pearl - the first Admiral's Cup boat at the Fastnet Rock © Carlo Borlenghi / ROLEX
The Admiral's Cup fleet spent their second night at sea in the Rolex Fastnet Race battling the full force of the Atlantic in the Celtic Sea. Even in a somewhat light airs race, the Celtic Sea has a big swell and relentless wind.
This stretch, the long beat to the Fastnet Rock, is one of offshore racing's most iconic challenges. For sailors, rounding the Fastnet Lighthouse is more than just a waypoint—it's a rite of passage. Towering 54 metres above the sea and built from nearly 5,000 tonnes of Cornish granite, the lighthouse stands as a defiant monument to seamanship and endurance. But it's the legacy, the legend, and the weight of a century of offshore racing that gives this moment its soul. In the centenary edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race, rounding the Rock is not just memorable - it's magical.
AC1 Update 0700 BST
On Monday 28 July, 2025 06:54:11 BST Stefan Jentzsch's Botin 56 Black Pearl (NYYC) was the first Admiral's Cup boat to round the Fastnet Rock. Karl Kwok's TP52 Beau Geste (RHKYC) rounded the lighthouse 30 minutes and 19 seconds after Black Pearl. Third to round was Peter Harrison's TP52 Jolt 3 (YCM), seven minutes and 51 seconds after Beau Geste.
"It was the first time I've seen the lighthouse without fog or rain—it was truly special, a real moment," commented Stefan Jentzsch. "The boat is in great shape and the crew morale is great too! Rounding the Fastnet Rock is often described as climbing Everest, but as a mountain climber myself, I know that the descent can be just as dangerous. We are looking forward to downwind racing."
Black Pearl navigator Marc Lagesse commented: "We're really happy to have been the first Admiral's Cup boat around the Rock, especially considering how quick those TP52s are in light airs—it's been a pretty soft race so far. We were first out of the Solent and first to the Rock, so that feels good. I think the key was sticking to our game plan and not letting the 52s get too much leverage. They were having their own battles, which probably helped us sail a bit freer. When it's under 10 knots we tend to lose time to them, but above 10 we hold our own. Hopefully we can find a gear to start gaining time back.
The approach to the Rock was settled—more of a one-way track, so we didn't see any need to gamble. Still, being the lead boat always means being the first to make a move, and that's never easy. A really special moment was passing the Rock with Rory Harrap's family out there waving a big Black Pearl flag. Add to that having Paul Standbridge onboard—rounding the Fastnet with a legend like him is something we'll all remember."
At 0900 BST on Monday 28 July, seven of the AC1 boats had rounded the Fastnet Lighthouse. After IRC time correction, Beau Geste was leading the class by just 3 minutes and 14 seconds from Jolt 3. Gordon Ketelbey's TP52 Zen (CYCA) was 29 minutes and 59 seconds behind Beau Geste.
AC2 Update 0900 BST
Pierre Casirgahi's Carkeek 42 Jolt 6 (YCM) was leading a pack of boats approximately 35nm south of the Fastnet Lighthouse. Karl Kwok's Botin 40 Beau Ideal was a mile behind Jolt 6 with James Murray's B&C 42 Callisto a further two miles back. Chris Frost's Carkeek 40+ AMP-lifi (RORC White) was also in the pack. After IRC time correction, the ranking shows Jolt 6 approximately one hour ahead of Philippe Frantz's NM43 Albator (YCF). Ranked in third place was Donald Thinschmidt's Ker 43 Abracadabra (NYYC), just a few minutes ahead of Callisto and Beau Ideal.
Pierre Casiraghi on board Jolt 6 commented: "We've just come through a pretty brutal night—strong wind, big waves, and very little rest. It's been tough on the crew and everyone's feeling the fatigue. This race has its reputation for a reason.
"We're now in the Celtic Sea and expect to round the Fastnet Rock around noon. It's been mostly upwind sailing since the start which takes a real toll on both the boat and the team, but that's exactly why we're here. You're constantly reminded this is one of the great offshore tests.
"Despite the grind spirits are high on Jolt 6. We're still in the lead and although our competitors are close and pushing hard we're matching that intensity. Everyone's committed to holding our position.
"The good news is the wind has eased slightly and the sea state has calmed which is giving us a chance to recover a bit. We're excited to finally turn the corner and head downwind—it'll be a welcome change of pace after days of relentless upwind work. With around two more days to go we're focused, managing the boat carefully and pushing hard to the finish."
Watch an update from Pierre Casiraghi on Jolt 6 on day 3 © Jolt 6 ((YCM)
Keep up to date with all the news, pictures and satellite tracking at www.admiralscup.rorc.org.
Track the fleet in the Rolex Fastnet Race and catch up with all the stories at www.rolexfastnetrace.com.
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