Fastnet Race 2025: Initial ultimate sailboats circumnavigate Land's End... and ignite their afterburners
The 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race is entering its final stages, with the monohull yachts battling it out for line honours. The current leader is Black Jack 100, skippered by Tristan Le Brun, who finished the 695-mile race in 2 days, 12 hours, 31 minutes, and 28 seconds, crossing the finish line in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin just after midnight on July 29, 2025 [1][2][4].
Black Jack 100 narrowly outpaced its arch rivals, SHK Scallywag and Leopard 3, finishing about 58 minutes ahead of Scallywag and 5 minutes ahead of Leopard 3. The lead changed little near the end, with Black Jack 100 holding off its two main competitors in an intense contest described as a "match race" among three 100-foot monohulls [1][4].
Meanwhile, the crew of Be Water Positive - Canada Ocean Racing, formerly known as 11th Hour Racing, has retired from the race due to a hydraulics issue [5]. The boat has safely arrived at Cherbourg.
In the Ultime class, the leaders are SVR-Lazartigue, skippered by Tom Laperche and Franck Cammas, and Banque Populaire XI, skippered by Armel Le Cléac'h. SVR-Lazartigue was the first to round the Fastnet Rock at 1622 (BST), followed by Banque Populaire XI, which rounded 1 hour and 8 minutes later [3]. Both yachts are sailing south-east in a 25-knot north-westerly wind [6].
SVR-Lazartigue is currently sailing at speeds over 35 knots after rounding the Fastnet Rock [3]. Banque Populaire XI is making gains, but the race for line honours in the final 315 miles is still wide open [6].
In the IMOCA class, Association Petit Princes has a narrow lead over Charal [7]. The Botin 52 yacht Caro was seen enjoying the company of dolphins in the Celtic Sea, a sight that photographer Carlo Borlenghi captured beautifully [8].
The race, which started two weeks ago for The Ocean Race Europe crews, is expected to finish around 0800 BST tomorrow morning [6]. The 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race has so far seen largely benign conditions [9]. The race has been going on for 1 day and 4 hours [6].
[1] [https://www.rolexfastnetrace.com/news/blackjack-100-wins-line-honours-in-the-2025-rolex-fastnet-race/] [2] [https://www.rolexfastnetrace.com/results/2025-rolex-fastnet-race/] [3] [https://www.rolexfastnetrace.com/news/svr-lazartigue-takes-fastnet-rock-lead-in-ultime-trimaran-class/] [4] [https://www.rolexfastnetrace.com/news/blackjack-100-claims-line-honours-in-the-2025-rolex-fastnet-race/] [5] [https://www.rolexfastnetrace.com/news/be-water-positive-canada-ocean-racing-retires-from-the-2025-rolex-fastnet-race/] [6] [https://www.rolexfastnetrace.com/news/leaders-en-route-to-cherbourg-for-the-2025-rolex-fastnet-race-finish/] [7] [https://www.rolexfastnetrace.com/results/imoaca-class/] [8] [https://www.rolexfastnetrace.com/news/caro-enjoys-company-of-dolphins-during-the-2025-rolex-fastnet-race/] [9] [https://www.rolexfastnetrace.com/news/2025-rolex-fastnet-race-enjoys-largely-benign-conditions-so-far/]
Sports analysts are discussing the exciting finish of the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race, where the monohull yacht Black Jack 100 claimed line honours, outpacing its rivals in a high-stakes 'match race'. The sports-analysis shows Black Jack 100 narrowly outpacing SHK Scallywag and Leopard 3 by 58 minutes and 5 minutes respectively, making it an intense contest often referred to as a match race in yachting.
