Franck Cammas, Charles Caudrelier and the crew of the Maxi trimaran Edmond de Rothschild (David Boileau, Erwan Israel, Morgan Lagravière and Yann Riou) crossed the finish line in Cherbourg on Monday evening for the 49th Fastnet, the start of which was given Sunday noon in Cowes, Isle of Wight, organizers said.
Cammas and Caudrelier had already passed the Fastnet rock on Monday morning, with a lead of around forty miles over the next, Thomas Coville, aboard his Sodebo.
Among the 350 boats entered are 13 Imoca which took part in the last Vendée Globe, but also Ultim, such as the Edmond de Rothschild, these giant maxi-trimarans 32 meters long capable of rising above the water thanks to their foils (appendages under the hull).
The 695 nautical mile (approximately 1,287 km) course passes the famous Fastnet Rock, dominated by a lighthouse in southern Ireland, and 24 nations are represented this year.
"The first hours of racing were tonic" Sunday "with gusts to 30 knots out of Solent and heavy seas", the organizers had indicated on Monday morning who then counted "65 withdrawals (...) fortunately without injuries" .
Two years ago, by winning the Fastnet 2019, Cammas and Caudrelier set a new record on Maxi Edmond de Rothschild in 28 hours and 2 minutes.