Dates: 19 July – 1 August 2027, 14 days
Price: 5 900 Euro
Distance: 695 NM
Experience: Prior sailing experience required
Skipper: TBD
First mate: TBD
Start: Cowes, UK
End: Cowes, UK
Nearest Airports:
Southampton International (SOU)
London Heathrow (LHR)
London Gatwick (LGW)
Sail One of the World’s Most Iconic Offshore Races
Join Celeste of Solent for the Rolex Fastnet Race 2027 – one of the most famous and demanding offshore races in the world, and a true milestone for any serious sailor.
The race starts in Cowes, follows the south coast of England, crosses the Celtic Sea, rounds the legendary Fastnet Rock off the coast of Ireland, and finishes in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France. In the 2025 edition alone, over 440 yachts competed on this classic 695-nautical-mile course.
This leg combines professional race preparation, high-intensity offshore sailing, and the unforgettable atmosphere of one of sailing’s great events.
Professional Crew & Race Preparation
For this race, Celeste of Solent will sail with a minimum of four professional crew members on board, all with extensive offshore racing experience and multiple Atlantic crossings.
Before the start, we dedicate several days to structured training in the Solent, ensuring that every crew member is confident, well-prepared, and fully integrated into the team.
Training will include:
– Sail handling and manoeuvres
– Hoists, drops, reefs, tacks and gybes
– Helming and boat trim
– Watch systems and onboard routines
– Route planning, tides, weather and race strategy
Preliminary Itinerary
19 July – Crew arrival, introductions & safety briefing
20–22 July – Training days in the Solent
23 July – Final training & race preparation
24 July – Start of the Rolex Fastnet Race
29 July – Finish in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (estimated)
30 July – Prize-giving & race village celebrations
31 July – Sail back to Cowes
1 August – Arrival in Cowes & departure
We gather on board on July 19 to get to know each other, the boat, and complete a full safety briefing. A shared dinner ashore is planned in the evening. Training begins the following day and continues throughout the week, combining time on the water with tactical discussions and race preparation.
After the Finish
Following the finish in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, we will enjoy the vibrant race village, French hospitality, and the official prize-giving ceremony. On Saturday, we sail back across the English Channel to Cowes, arriving on Sunday morning.
If preferred, it is also possible to disembark in France after the race.
Practical Information
Limited bunk space is available on board in Cowes prior to the race
If staying ashore, early booking of accommodation in both Cowes and Cherbourg is strongly recommended
Food during the race is included
Post-race cleaning of the boat is included
Recommended Lead-In Leg
To make the most of your experience, we recommend joining the delivery cruise from Lagos (Portugal) to Cowes prior to the Fastnet Race. This relaxed offshore passage with stops in Portugal and Spain is an excellent way to get to know Celeste of Solent, the crew, and your fellow Fastnet sailors.
This leg is offered at a discounted rate for Fastnet Race participants.
For more information about the race itself, visit the official site:
rolexfastnetrace.com
SAILING ROUND THE WORLD 