As the Royal Ocean Racing Club celebrates the centenary edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race, Doyle Sails is proud to support an impressive roster of teams prepared to take on one of the world’s most iconic and challenging offshore contests.
The 100th anniversary of the Rolex Fastnet Race kicks off on 26th July 2025, marking a century since the race was first held in 1925. Since then, the event has grown to become the largest offshore yacht race in the world, with more than 460 yachts entered for this landmark edition. Teams from 33 countries will converge in Cowes, UK, with the course leading them 695 nautical miles around the infamous Fastnet Rock and finishing in Cherbourg, France.
First held as a way to test seamanship, design, and courage, the Rolex Fastnet Race remains a benchmark for offshore sailing excellence and the 2025 edition promises no less. Starting from the Royal Yacht Squadron line in Cowes, yachts will leave the Solent through The Needles, race down the southern coast of England, round Land’s End, cross the Celtic Sea to the Fastnet Rock, then return via the Isles of Scilly before finishing in Cherbourg.
As always, the race will challenge every aspect of offshore performance—tactics, navigation, boat handling, and endurance. Doyle-powered teams have been working tirelessly in the lead-up, with the Solent becoming a hive of activity as many yachts take advantage of time on the water to train and fine-tune their performance.
Leading the Doyle Sails fleet is Caro, Max Klink’s 52-footer and the defending Fastnet champion, representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. With Doyle Sails onboard, Caro delivered a commanding overall win in 2023, proving its performance pedigree.
“The Rolex Fastnet Race is one of the most iconic offshore races in the world. The last edition proved its reputation,” said Klink. “It might have been easier to close our story with the race on a high note, with an overall win, but the temptation of the new Admiral’s Cup format made the decision inevitable to come back…”
Caro is paired with fellow Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Admiral’s Cup entry, Callisto, owned by James Murray. Callisto has been taking advantage of the local UK racing schedule and using every opportunity to train with their squad ahead of the Admiral’s Cup.
This is a team in their element, and with some big names onboard, including Doyle Sails President Mike Sanderson and yachting legend Dean Barker, this crew isn’t leaving anything to chance.
Another standout is Christian Zugel’s Tschüss 2, looking to add to their ever-expanding list of recent major victories including the Gotland Runt, Roschier Baltic Sea Race, and most recently the RORC Transatlantic Race. The Doyle-powered team has shown consistent offshore strength and will be aiming to convert that momentum into Fastnet success.
Doyle Sails is proud to support a diverse and competitive group of teams across the IRC and performance fleets. Many of which are part of the Admiral’s Cup running in conjunction.
Black Pearl
Final Final
Zen
Abracadabra
Amp-lifi
Back to Black
Baraka GP
Callisto
Further West
Cinnamon Girl
Nieulargo
Minnie the Minx
Pata Negra
Rafale
Simples
Tschüss 2
Tulikettu
Venomous
Varuna
Bedouin
Leopard
These campaigns represent the leading technology in offshore sail design and execution, many of them pushing the limits of innovation with Doyle Sails’ latest sail technology—including Structured Luff technology and the increasingly popular Doyle Sails Hybrid technology.
With over 400 IRC yachts on the line and crews hailing from 41 countries—some as young as 14, others as experienced as 81, the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race will be a global celebration of sailing and human achievement. Doyle Sails is honoured to power so many of these incredible teams as they write their own chapter in the Fastnet’s storied history.
Fair winds to all teams competing—and especially to those carrying the Doyle legacy across the Celtic Sea and back.
ABOUT DOYLE SAILS // Doyle Sails strives to deliver success through high-performance, high-quality, custom sails that continue to redefine the boundaries of sailmaking technology and innovation; whilst connecting sailors to inspire, support and encourage sailing.
Our obsession with sailing takes us to every corner of the world and onboard every yacht. We become part of teams, share in the adventures of friends and families, sharing our knowledge and experience with those with the same passion. Sailing is in our DNA, and we are the custodians of a legacy that has been supporting sailors for four decades and counting.