Battle of the bigs at 49th Fastnet Race

 A major clash of the titans will take place between two of the world’s fastest maxi-monohulls at the 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race. While the most sought-after victory is, of course, the overall win under IRC, for the monohull that is first home into Cherbourg there is also plenty at stake.

The kudos and personal satisfaction that come with winning on the water are as significant as the more tangible rewards: the Erroll Bruce Cup and, since the Swiss watchmaker partnered the race some twenty years ago, a Rolex chronometer.

Part of this kudos is that alongside the race’s overall winner, the monohull line honors winner is also remembered in the history books. These date back to the first Ocean Race (as it was originally called) in 1925, won by the Le Havre pilot cutter Jolie Brise campaigned by the future first Commodore of the Ocean Racing Club (as it was known until 1931), Commander EG Martin.

Since then some of the world’s largest and most magnificent racing yachts have claimed line honours.

The 49th edition of the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race will start from the Royal Yacht Squadron line on August 8 in Cowes, UK.