Centennial Fastnet Race Victor Goes to El Leon
In a remarkable display of skill and determination, the French boat Leon, skippered by Alexis Loison and Jean Pierre Kelbert, has triumphed in the centenary edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race. This victory adds Leon's name to the illustrious list on the Fastnet Challenge Trophy, one of the pillars of Rolex's association with the sport of sailing, which dates back almost 70 years.
Organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), the Rolex Fastnet Race has been held every two years since 1925, making it the world's largest ocean race. This year's 695-nautical-mile (1,118-kilometer) course between Cowes and Cherbourg presented numerous complexities for the two-person crew of Leon. Sailing the boat to its maximum potential, regardless of weather conditions, is crucial for success in the Rolex Fastnet Race.
The duo completed the race in an impressive time of 3 days, 22 hours, 42 minutes, and 15 seconds, surpassing the wildest dreams of even the most experienced sailors. Their victory was achieved against a fleet of larger boats with full crews, making their achievement all the more impressive.
Alexis Loison is no stranger to the Rolex Fastnet Race. He had previously won the race in 2013 aboard the JPK 10.10 Night and Day. With this latest victory, he has joined an exclusive club of six skippers who have achieved an outright victory more than once in the hundred years of the race. However, a comprehensive list of all multiple outright winners could not be found in the available sources.
The boat Leon is a JPK 10.50, 34 feet long. Its victory in the Rolex Fastnet Race marks the only boat in the regatta that beat its compensated time. The functionality for this news article is only for registered users or subscribers.
The Rolex Fastnet Race has a rich history, with six skippers achieving outright multiple victories. While the names of all these skippers are not fully listed in the available sources, one confirmed multiple outright winner is Alexis Loison, who notably secured his second outright victory in the race in 2025 and had already won in 2013 with his father Pascal Loison. Additionally, the VO70 Tschüss 2, which won the race twice under different names, once in 2019 as Wizard, has multiple wins, although the names of the skippers involved are not clearly referenced in the excerpts.
As the Rolex Fastnet Race continues to celebrate its centenary, the victory of Leon serves as a testament to the power of concentration, commitment, and passion in sailing. The race, with its challenging course and competitive spirit, continues to attract the best sailors from around the world.
Fashion statements were not only seen on the catwalk, as the winning boat, Leon, in the Rolex Fastnet Race, sported a unique color scheme that drew attention among the larger, full-crew boats. This year's edition of the race, marked by suspense and skill, also showcased sportsmanship and camaraderie among the participants, embodying the spirit of competition that has been a part of the race since its inception.
