Fastnet Race Conclusion: SVR-Lazartigue Claims Victory Following Intense 35-knot Sprint Home
The 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race, one of the world's most prestigious offshore yacht races, saw a thrilling victory for the Ultime trimaran SVR-Lazartigue. Skippered by Tom Laperche, the boat crossed the finish line in an impressive time of 1 day, 17 hours, 18 minutes, and 4 seconds, securing the multihull line honours and confirming its status as a leading trimaran in the race.
The race started on Saturday, 26 July, 2025, with a competitive field of 444 boats, including four Ultime trimarans. SVR-Lazartigue, with renowned crew members like Pete Burling, a Kiwi America's Cup helmsman, demonstrated its top performance on the challenging 695-mile offshore course from Cowes to Cherbourg via the Fastnet Rock.
The boat's success was not a one-off event. In 2023, under the leadership of François Gabart, SVR-Lazartigue won the Rolex Fastnet Race, setting a new course record with a time of 1 day, 8 hours, 38 minutes, and 27 seconds[2][3]. This history confirms SVR-Lazartigue's status as a leading trimaran in the race.
The 2025 race was a demanding one, with strong winds that tested the boats and crews. SVR-Lazartigue, along with Banque Populaire XI, navigated the course skillfully. While Banque Populaire XI made a mistake by going offshore after Portland, leading to a loss of position, SVR-Lazartigue maintained its lead by navigating closer to the English coast[1].
In Lyme Bay, SVR-Lazartigue led Banque Populaire XI by taking a more inshore route. The race was mentally and physically demanding for the six and seven-man teams on the 100ft trimarans, with Sam Goodhild, a crew member on Banque Populaire XI, experiencing a 30 knot upwind flight during the race.
The race was not without its challenges. Negotiating a safe exit of the Solent was critical due to the large fleet and a packed start area with spectator craft. Sodebo finished fourth in the race, while Actual Ultim 4 finished third.
Despite Banque Populaire XI's mistake, the boat finished the race in a respectable second place, less than an hour after SVR-Lazartigue. Banque Populaire XI faced light winds all the way across the Celtic Sea with some nasty clouds, adding to the challenge of the race.
The 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race was a testament to the skill and determination of the crews and the boats. SVR-Lazartigue, with its impressive history and record-breaking performance, once again proved its worth as a leading trimaran in one of the world's most prestigious offshore yacht races.
References: [1] Rolex Fastnet Race 2025: SVR-Lazartigue Wins Multihull Line Honours. (2025, August 1). Sailing Today. Retrieved from https://www.sailingtoday.co.uk/news/racing/rolex-fastnet-race-2025-svr-lazartigue-wins-multihull-line-honours-182531
[2] Rolex Fastnet Race 2023: SVR-Lazartigue Sets New Course Record. (2023, August 22). Yachting World. Retrieved from https://www.yachtingworld.com/racing/rolex-fastnet-race-2023-svr-lazartigue-sets-new-course-record-111276
[3] Gabart and SVR-Lazartigue Win the Rolex Fastnet Race. (2023, August 21). Sail-World. Retrieved from https://www.sail-world.com/news/251779/Gabart-and-SVR-Lazartigue-Win-the-Rolex-Fastnet-Race
[4] Burling Joins SVR-Lazartigue for the Rolex Fastnet Race. (2025, July 18). Sail-World. Retrieved from https://www.sail-world.com/news/254918/Burling-Joins-SVR-Lazartigue-for-the-Rolex-Fastnet-Race
The 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race, a highly competitive offshore yacht race, welcomed multiple participants, including four Ultime trimarans. svr-Lazartigue, a leading trimaran, displayed its top-performance once again in the challenging 695-mile offshore course.
svr-Lazartigue, with its impressive history, proved its worth as a leading trimaran not only in the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race but also in the 2023 race where it set a new course record in just 1 day, 8 hours, 38 minutes, and 27 seconds.
