Incredible: Jean-Pierre Kelbert and Alexis Loison are the overall winners of the Rolex Fastnet Race 2025, ahead of 380 boats making up a fleet of particularly high calibre for the centenary edition of this legendary race.
A well-born boat
This is the second time in the history of the Fastnet that a double-handed crew has topped the overall rankings.
The duo were already leading the double-handed IRC race during the upwind leg to the Fastnet lighthouse, but it was during the descent of the Celtic Sea and then the English Channel on VMG downwind that the JPK 1050's dominance really became apparent, with the gaps between them widening all the way to the Raz Blanchard. The average speeds predicted by the charts spoke for themselves: 12, 13, 14 knots ...
Nevertheless, we had to stay focused right up to the finish in Cherbourg harbour, with Solenn (JK 1050), Amarris (Pogo RC) and Lann Ael 3 (NM35) chasing 'Léon', but JP and Alex's experience paid off with this fine victory.
The JPK 1050 was definitely born under a lucky star, and confirms that :
- Jacques Valer is truly a magician ;
- the JPK team is amazing ;
- Alex and JP are extraordinary sailors.
The entire JPK fleet in the spotlight
The JPK fleet put in some excellent performances on the podium and in the top 15 of all the IRC categories!
IRC overall
1 – Léon (JPK 1050)
6 – Django JPK (JPK 1180)
13 – Garm (JPK 1180)
14 – Sunrise (JPK 1180)
IRC1
3 – Dawn Treader (JPK 1180)
4 – FastWave 6 (JPK 1180)
IRC2
1 – Léon (JPK 1050)
5 – Solenn (JPK 1050)
7 – Pilou (JPK 1050)
IRC3
3 – Blue Skies (JPK 1030)
5 – Mzungu! (JPK 1080)
8 – Fondation Arhitis (JPK 1030)
10 – IL CORNO (JPK 1030)
11 – Hurlevent (JPK 1030)
13 – Hinden (JPK 1030)
14 – Karavel (JPK 1080)
15 – RENTNERBANK (JPK 1030)
IRC4
1 – Abracadabra² (JPK 1010)
2 – Raphael (JPK 1010)
3 – Sur la mer contre le cancer (JPK 960)
4 – Papillon (JPK 1010)
5 – AdHoc (JPK 1010)
7 – Garuda IV (JPK 1010)
8 – Ishsha (JPK 1010)
9 – Loiza (JPK 1010)
13 – JetPack (JPK 1010)
15 – Miss Leading (JPK 1010)
IRC Two Handed
1 – Léon (JPK 1050)
4 – Solenn (JPK 1050)
5 – Abracadabra² (JPK 1010)
6 – Pilou (JPK 1050)
8 – Blue Skies (1030)
9 – Sur la mer contre le cancer (JPK 960)
10 – Mzungu! (JPK 1080)
Photos and video
While we wait for the race reports from our winners, here are a few images of the finishes:
