Shorthanded teams top Fastnet Race

Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (July 31, 2025) – Alexis Loison and Jean-Pierre Kelbert’s 34-foot JPK 1050 Léon has been crowned overall winner of the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race. No other IRC entrant still racing on the 695 nautical mile course can catch the French doublehanded duo for overall honors in this, the 51st edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s offshore classic.

Loison and Kelbert have won the event in its centenary year which attracted a record 444 boats, ranging from 30-foot keelboats up to the giant 105-foot Ultim foiling trimarans. They also prevailed in the 70-boat IRC Two fleet in what was a predominantly light-airs contest.

Not only that, but it is the French doublehanded teams who dominate the podium. Behind Léon, in second place is Lann Ael 3, the Manuard Nivelt 35 sailed by Didier Gaudoux and Erwan Tabarly; in third place a Pogo RC, Amarris, sailed by Achille Nebout and Tanguy Bouroullec. – Full report