Tall Ships Youth Trust (TSYT) has taken part in the RORC Rolex Fastnet Race since 2009, enabling adults and young people from all over the UK to compete in one of sailing’s most prestigious global events.
In 2025 two crews of young people and sponsoring adults competed in the 100th Anniversary Rolex Fastnet Race, united by one goal – to challenge themselves at sea. Over five intense days our crews faced shifting winds, powerful spring tides, long night watches and life-changing moments. Challenger 1 and Challenger 3 rounded the legendary Fastnet Rock together, a rare and unforgettable moment.
TSYT’s Ocean Racing Pathway, launched after the 2023 race, goes from strength to strength so sign up now to take part in this world-famous offshore race and sponsor a young person who is living with disadvantage, so they can have the same life-changing opportunity!
Building on the success of Fastnet 2025, we developed an Ocean Racing Pathway for young people, aligned with our three-voyage journey of Exploration, Empowerment and Leadership. This pathway encompassed a developmental programme of competitive sailing activities and race events within each stage.
Up to 40 young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, who had completed our Empowerment or Leadership voyages, were eligible to join the programme. Through a series of training opportunities, they built their offshore racing skills, teamwork, decision making and the positive mindset needed to thrive in a demanding ocean environment.
A final selection process identified those with the strongest profile to join the racing teams who went on to compete in the Rolex Fastnet 2025.
Now, we’re doing it all again. The Ocean Racing Pathway is open for 2027, and we’re looking for the next generation of young racers to take on the Fastnet Rock.
The Rolex Fastnet Race is a legendary biennial offshore yacht race, organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), a challenging 600+ nautical mile course that starts from Cowes, Isle of Wight, rounds the Fastnet Rock off Ireland before finishing in Cherbourg, France.
It’s exhilarating, it’s challenging, it’s one of the toughest offshore races in the world, and by participating with Tall Ships Youth Trust it becomes more than just the race of a lifetime – it truly helps changes young lives.
This prestigious race is a bucket list for many sailors, it tests your limits in long distance offshore sailing with night watches, potential heavy weather sailing, and big boat spinnaker use. Seeing the Fastnet Rock up close and personal, taking on the Irish sea and the Atlantic is an epic adventure!
Over 40 passionate young people expressed interest in continuing their journey with us through our ocean racing pathway. From these aspiring racers, 19 went on to join our racing teams for the Rolex Fastnet 2025.
This pathway gave them the chance to compete in one of the world’s most challenging ocean racing events an opportunity many would not have had otherwise. For some, it has already opened doors to exciting careers in the maritime industry and the growing blue economy.
Your support helped fund these youth crews, and we’re now looking ahead to the Rolex Fastnet 2027. We’d love your help to get even more young people on the start line.
Give up to 40 young people the opportunity to join TSYT’s ocean racing programme, which can lead to selection for racing training, and ultimately, for some, the chance of a lifetime to compete in one of the most demanding offshore races in the World; the 2027 Rolex Fastnet Race.
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