Rolex Fastnet Race: Black Jack is the fastest monohull

A race fought by three giants. In the monohulls, the line honors, meaning a straight-line victory in the Rolex Fastnet Race, the classic offshore race from Cowes to Cherbourg via the Fastnet, was the goal of the 100-foot Black Jack, SHK Scallywag, and Leopard 3. And it was a battle until just before the finish line in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. This result is on par with the multihull line honors won by the Ultim SVR Lazartigue.

Three-way fight

In the end, Black Jack, Remon Vos' maxi yacht, skippered by Tristan Le Brun, won. A total of 19 crewmembers covered the 659 miles in 2 days, 12 hours, and 31 minutes. Victory wasn't certain until the very end. Scallywag crossed the finish line after 58 minutes, while Leopard 3 was just 5 minutes behind.

Vos purchased Black Jack—which flies the Yacht Club de Monaco pennant—just a year ago. Last year, they came close to winning the Rolex Middle Race, but were overtaken by Scallywag. Now, therefore, it's time for revenge. "We were the outsiders and the challengers, because we were up against much more experienced teams. But we trained hard," says skipper Le Brun.

Worth noting was the battle with Scallywag before the Fastnet, fought on the upwind leg with a series of tacks, a sort of match race. "We couldn't let them get to the Rock first," says Scallywag's navigator, Will Oxley , "because they would have left us behind. We made it, but then after the Fastnet they hoisted the A2 and went away: too fast."

The Imoca 60

In the Imoca 60 class, Elodie Bonafus and Association Petits Princes-Quéguiner won in line, completing the race in 2 days, 14 hours, and 7 minutes. Her battle with Jérémie Beyou's Charal was incredible, finishing second after 8 minutes. Over 659 miles and course, it's truly remarkable.