Back to competition with the Rolex Fastnet Race

The start of the season was characterized by a number of incidents. Back in the water in mid-April, the Class40 Dékuple was able to take part in two races, the Armen Race and the Normandy Channel Race, before having to return to the shipyard due to a structural problem with the keel.
The Normandy Channel Race was the boat’s first race without its skipper on board! Witnessing the wedding of one of his best friends, William decided to entrust the helm of Class40 Dékuple to Pietro Luciani, his co-skipper, and Hugo Picard, his technical trainer. The aim was to accumulate sailing time in order to continue taming the boat in its new configuration, following the winter refit. After 4 days, 21 hours and 36 minutes of racing, the duo finished 12th. The poor conditions encountered on the course also brought to light a major technical problem with the keel, forcing William to put his boat back in for repairs, thus forcing him to abandon his participation in the second major race of the season, Les Sables – Horta – Les Sables. A difficult but wise decision, in order to be able to tackle the rest of the season with peace of mind. With his boat in good hands, William was able to concentrate on his preparation and continued training on other boats.

Back on the water since the beginning of the week, William Mathelin-Moreaux has already set course for the competition, for the legendary Rolex Fastnet Race, which starts on Saturday July 22!

The Rolex Fastnet Race is a crewed, non-stop sailing race, renowned for its difficulty, and historically contested in odd-numbered years in the English Channel and Celtic Sea.

William and Pietro will set off from Cowes, north of the Isle of Wight in England. They will sail a short distance, 695 nautical miles (just under 1300 km), towards Normandy and more precisely Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, via the famous Fastnet Rock in the south of Ireland. They’ll be alongside almost 500 other boats, including 21 Class40s!

The Rolex Fastnet Race is undoubtedly one of the jewels in the crown of ocean sailing, and this month marks the start of a monumental 50th edition. This race is a testament to the spirit of sailing, a prestigious event where dedicated amateur crews have triumphed over their professional rivals!

> Follow the start of the race, at 2:30 pm, live on YouTube and Facebook.

> Follow the race and rankings live via this link

> Discover the program