Rolex Fastnet Race monohull line honours
Cherbourg, 11 August 2021– Dmitry Rybolovlev’s ClubSwan 125 Skorpios secured monohull line honours at the 49th Rolex Fastnet Race crossing the finish line in Cherbourg yesterday evening at 2015 BST.
The Monegasque yacht’s elapsed time for the 695 nautical mile course was 2 days, 8 hours, 33 minutes and 55 seconds.
Competing in her first ever race, the newly launched Skorpios used her powerful form to make easy work of the difficult conditions on the first day. The team, growing in confidence, then extended their lead over their closest rivals on the leg to the Fastnet Rock, before a fast-paced return to the finish cemented their achievement.
Having only started sailing in the last few years, this was owner Dmitry Rybolovlev’s first offshore race which he experienced with his daughter Anna Rybolovleva, also her first time offshore racing. “We’re very pleased with the boat, the team was great. We want to thank the whole team for such great efforts. We were trying to stay conservative, especially in the high wind at the start, but we’re excited to see what the boat can do in future races. Rounding the Fastnet Rock was kind of magical, it felt like a really special moment.”
Skipper Fernando Echavarri was relieved to have come through the Rolex Fastnet Race with the boat intact. “The boat is very strong, we backed off on speed coming out of the Solent, but so was everyone else,” said the Spanish professional. “We had an idea of what the boat might be able to do, but we didn’t know for sure, so we learned a lot on this race.
“The owner is super happy, he’s a good sailor but new to offshore sailing and he enjoyed the experience a lot. I think there is a very good chance we will be back for the Rolex Fastnet Race.”
Follow the race, track the fleet via: www.rolexfastnetrace.com