Rolex Fastnet 2015: the Frenchmen at the time of light airs and pomposities

The 46^th edition of the Rolex Fastnet, which was celebrating its 90 years of existence, is now over. Even though there were more participants this time, it was the winds, which were far from being strong, that drew all the attention. However, a sailor is also known to be a strategist who needs to know how to cope with the elements to make the most out of any situation. During this year’s contest, the French – although they did not succeed as overall winners – have reaped the benefits having walked away amongst the top three places in the general ranking (with rating). It was the team of the “Société nautique de la Baie de Saint-Malo” that won the event – all categories combined – by adding the results of their three best boats.

The Rolex Fastnet 2015 prizes

Frenchmen at the helm

In short, the Royal Ocean Racing Club has confirmed that Géry Trentesaux, together with his crew and his JPK 10.80 Courrier du Leon, is the grand winner of the 2015 edition of the Rolex Fastnet. They succeeded in getting first place despite their rough start that caused the crew to be delayed, to go against streams and to become one with the wind. Nonetheless, it is to be noted that the three winning sailing boats are all JPK, built in a French shipyard, established near Lorient. History will record that the last Rolex Fastnet was won by a JPK sailing boat – Night & Day – with a two-handed team composed of Pascal and Alexis Loison, from Cherbourg.

The Rolex Yacht Master 40 116622 Roselium received by Géry Trentesaux

A matter of time

The winner completed the race in almost three days with a corrected time of 2 days, 19 hours, 50 minutes and 58 seconds. What needs to be remembered, though, about this race is that it took the winner almost twice the time it took the current record holder in Abu Dhabi (UAE) in 2011. That year, the winner reached Plymouth after 1 day, 18 hours and 39 minutes. This year’s event laureate, Géry Trentesaux, received a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master from the hands of the Head of Communication of Rolex UK, David Cutler.

For the occasion, the charming sailor and fine strategist was wearing a fashionable pair of pants in the colors of the brand’s crown logo. This was undoubtedly a coincidence.

http://www.rolexfastnetrace.com/