By Isle of Wight Observer
Large crowds gathered at Cowes and across to the west of the Island to watch the Fastnet Race make a mixed start due to light winds on Saturday.
Eventually, it was the Ultim trimaran SVR Lazartigue, skippered by French offshore rising star, Tom Laperche, and featuring New Zealand’s Peter Burling among its elite crew, which stormed to victory in the centenary running of the race.
The 32-metre flying blue rocket took 1d 17h 18m 4s to blast its way down the 695 nautical mile course from Cowes to Cherbourg via the iconic Fastnet rock. Less than an hour behind was Banque Populaire, skippered by Armel Le Cléac’h, with Thierry Chabagny and a crew of five.
Given this year’s relatively light winds, the winner’s time was around 17h slower than the record time the same boat set in 2023’s gale-force conditions.
Tom Laperche said: “The race was different, more strategic and tactical. The windiest part was 20 knots, whereas two years ago, it was 35.
“We were up against Banque Populaire early on and we made a good decision to go close into the English coast and managed to cross them coming back on starboard and we got in front.
“It was difficult returning from Fastnet to Scilly, because the wind was stronger behind, so they reduced their deficit. But on Sunday, we knew that it would be tactical between the gybes when they have a good speed.”
Isle of Wight Observer