SVR Lazartigue won the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race, a record-breaking race that will take place in France. The sleek blue trimaran was the first to arrive at Cherbourg from the 444 strong fleet.

The 32-metre foiling Ultim, skippered by Tom Laperche, completed the 695 nautical mile course in just 17 hours 18 minutes. This was well below her previous record of 8 hours and 38 minutes in 2023 but more than enough for a comfortable victory.

Line honours are awarded in offshore racing to the first boat that finishes the course. This is usually the fastest and most technologically advanced yacht of the fleet. The Fastnet Challenge Cup is awarded to the overall Fastnet Race winner, who has corrected their time according to the International Rating Certificate handicap system.

IRC is a system that equalizes the playing field for different boat designs and sizes. A well-sailed 12-metre sailing yacht can easily beat a 30-metre racing car once handicaps have been applied.

SVR Lazartigue won the race on Monday just before 0538 CET (0333 GMT), more than 50 mins ahead of Banque Populaire.

Actual Ultim 4 finished third in the Ultim class. It was nearly three hours and half behind the winner.

The battle once again demonstrated the speed and innovative design of offshore triarans.

The decision on the monohull line honours, which will be awarded to first finisher regardless of rating or class, is still pending.

Since a century, the Rolex Fastnet Race tests sailors' endurance and skill.

The biennial contest, which was first held in 1925, attracted seven boats. Today, hundreds of yachts compete in the race, starting from Cowes, England, on the Isle of Wight, and following a 695 nautical mile route around the Fastnet Rock, off the south coast of Ireland, before finishing in Cherbourg.

(source: Reuters)