ROLEX FASTNET CAMPAIGN 2025

Challenge yourself for 2025 and join us for the Infamous Rolex Fastnet Race.

The Fastnet this year (2023) was the most challenging and tough we have ever done. If you think you’ve got what it takes then get in touch about joining us for 2025.

Bookings will be opening early in the new year and expect to run several boats again.

The 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race was a rare one, being the 50th edition of this iconic race. Once again it finished in Cherbourg as in 2021. The package was priced at £4650 for 2023. Of the 3 boats entered by LSS, 2 finished with Cougar coming as the 1st RYA training school boat in IRC.

2025 Rolex Fastnet Race

26th July > 2nd August

LSS Fastnet 2021 onboard the Sigma 38 Rho .

ROLEX FASTNET CAMPAIGN 2023

Our Race boats

Sigma 38 - Kindred Spirit

(Wait List)

IRC 4 | 9 Crew | Symmetrical Spinnakers

  • Main

    Sanders Carbon Kevlar Main (2021)

    Headsails

    Sanders Carbon Kevlar #2 (2022)

    Sanders Carbon Kevlar #1 (2022)

    Dacron #3

    Storm Jib & Trisail

    Kites

    Lightweight S2 (Sumo)

    Heavyweight S4

  • Length

    Weight

    Draught

    Sail Area

    Berths

    Instruments/NavigationItem description

  • The mighty Sigma 38

Reflex 38

(Wait List)

IRC 2 | 9 Crew | Symmetrical Spinnakers

  • Details coming soon

  • Length: 12.2m/ 40 ft

    Weight:

    Draught: 2.4m

    Sail Area: 100m upwind/ 110m2 Spinnaker downwind

    Berths: 10 (2 in bow not used while racing)

    Instruments/Navigation

  • The Beneteau First 40.7 is a fantastic Bruce Farr-designed racer-cruiser which has been around since 1998 when they were first built.

    Very nimble and manoeuvrable to handle and also an excellently ergonomically designed cockpit for racing both around the cans and offshore.

Racing Sail Yacht with spinnaker

First 36.7 - Red Hawk

(Wait List)

IRC 3 | 7 Crew | Asymmetrical Spinnakers

  • North Carbon 3di Raw Mainsail - 2021

    North Carbon 3di Raw Furling No. 2 Genoa - 2021

    Hyde Heavy Weather Jib - 2020

    North A2 0.75 Spinnaker - 2020

    North A5 1.5 Spinnaker - 2021

    North A6 1.5 Spinnaker - 2023

    North Helix Code Zero - 2023

    North Trysail

    North Storm Jib

  • Length: 11.1m

    Weight: 5800kg dry

    Draught: 2.2

    Sail Area:

    Berths:

    Instruments/Navigation: Garmin/B&G

  • description coming soon

What’s in the package?

  • A series of London-based workshops and socials to get to know your crew and the other boats

  • 2 Training weekends on the water so familiarise yourself with the boat and crew

  • 3 of the RORC Qualifying Races

  • The Rolex Fastnet Race (July 2023)

  • Team jacket & shirt

  • All onboard expenses - food, fuel, mooring fees, berthing

  • Professional Skipper

“Doing the 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race with London School of Sailing is quite simply one of the best things I have ever done. I whole heartedly recommend a Fastnet campaign with LSS to anyone looking for the experience of a lifetime!”
— Suzy Greenwood

What Experience do I need?

This race is not for the faint-hearted. It is a once-in-a-lifetime challenge and should be respected accordingly. You must be, most of all, a committed, team player. Be passionate about sailing/ yacht racing, adaptable and resilient to tough conditions.

Ideally, you will have past yacht racing experience but this is not absolutely necessary, also, a certain level of strength and fitness is required as this race is always both physically and mentally demanding.

Kindred Spirit Crew of the 2019 Fastnet
“The racing is competitive and incredibly educational. Ruaraidh has a wealth of knowledge he is more than happy to impart and is an incredibly patient teacher. He also makes a mean espresso martini.”
— James R
Crew of Rho - Sigma 38 after the 2021 Fastnet

Shorebased Training dates:

  • 2/11/22 or 8/1/23 or 29/1/23

    (London, Isle of Dogs)

    This one-day course is not a formal pre-requisite but we are offering a great discount on the course which is can’t hurt to have.

    £50pp extra (subsidised from £130)

  • 27/11/22 or 28/1/23

    (London, Isle of Dogs)

    A Day of practical training in the Pool

    £25pp extra (subsidised from £145)

  • 23>24/1/23 or 20>21/2/23

    (2 online evenings)

    £25pp extra (subsidised from £110)

Workshops

Meet your crew mates off the water, learn about how you will approach each race, learn about race tactics, decide crew positions and bond over a couple of drinks.

Workshops are open to non-Fastnet crew at a cost of £20 per workshop, contact us for more information.

“You will develop your skills and understanding. But most of all you will make friends you would trust with your life. Would I did it again? In a heartbeat. Would I do it with LSS? Absolutely, without question.”
— Lisa M

Training Weekend

20th > 21st May (Red Hawk & Playing Around)

Join the boat in Deacons Boatyard, Hamble for a weekend of familiarisation on the Solent

The 3 Qualifying Races

Yacht racing towards a lighthouse

RORC Myth Of Malham

26th > 29th May

The Race to the Eddystone Lighthouse and back starts off Cowes. Join and depart the boat in Deacons Boatyard either early on the 26th or the night before.

RORC Morgan Cup

16th > 18th June

This is a Race from Cowes > Dartmouth and then a cruise/practice sail back to the Solent. Join and depart in Deacons Boatyard the night before as the race starts in the morning

Sailing by compass at night

RORC St Malo Race

7th > 10th July

This is a Race from Cowes to Dinard, St Malo. It has been changed to start at 1500 on Friday 7th in the afternoon

The Rolex Fastnet Race 2023

The Rolex Fastnet Race is one of the most famous offshore yacht races in the world and certainly on the RORC calendar. Starting in Cowes it races to the Fastnet Lighthouse and finishes in Cherbourg. The first edition of the race was in 1925 with only 7 boats entered. In 2021 over 350 boats took part and 2023 is due to be bigger still. The duelling and navigation of the tides and wind shifts is an infectious challenge, bringing sailors back year after year to better their results.

Race Start: Saturday 22nd July - 695 nautical miles

Prizegiving: Cherbourg, Thursday 27th July

Return to Hamble, Friday 28th July

Join the boat a day or two before in Deacons Boatyard

The Race will last 4-5 days taking us past Lands End, across the Celtic Sea, around the Fastnet Lighthouse and back around the Isles of Scilly, back up the Channel, through or around the Alderney race to the finish line at Cherbourg. The after party is notorious for never-ending while crews welcome and congratulate each other as they come into port. A well-deserved sleep before a gentle sail back across the Channel to Hamble

The Rolex Fastnet Race is not a race for beginners, but with the training and qualifying races included in our package, you will have the experience necessary not only to compete in this classic offshore race but to excel in it.

How much Holiday?

We aim to minimise the days of leave you need to take, by maximising the use of bank holidays and weekends.  This package will take 6-7 days of midweek holidays, including the Fastnet Race.

Package price £4,650

£800 booking deposit | 50% by 15th January | 100% before 1st March 2023

A phased payment plan is available