Editing Fastnet Race (section)

{{Short description|Biennial offshore yacht race}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{Infobox recurring sailing competition
|logo=Fastnet Race 2011 Official Logo.jpg
|caption=Official logo of the 2011 Fastnet Race
|sport=Sailing
|founded=1925
|competitors=
|start=[[Cowes]]
|finish={{ubli|[[Plymouth]] (1925–2019)|[[Cherbourg]] (since 2021)}}
|TV=
|champion={{ubli|''[[Lann Ael 2]]''|''[[Concise 10]]'' (line honours)}}
|most_champs=
| website = {{url|rolexfastnetrace.com}}
}}

The '''Fastnet Race''' is a biennial offshore [[yacht race]] organized by the [[Royal Ocean Racing Club]] (RORC) of the [[United Kingdom]] with the assistance of the [[Royal Yacht Squadron]] in [[Cowes]] and the City of [[Cherbourg]] in France. 

The race is named after the [[Fastnet Rock]] off southern [[Ireland]], which the race course rounds. Along with [[Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race]] and the [[Newport-Bermuda Race]], it is considered one of the classic big offshore races with each distance approximately {{convert|625|nmi|mi km}}, testing both inshore and offshore skills, boat and crew preparation and speed potential. From its inception, the Fastnet Race has proven highly influential in the growth of offshore racing and remains closely linked to advances in yacht design, [[sailing]] technique and safety equipment.

The Fastnet Race has been sponsored by the [[Switzerland|Swiss]] watch manufacturing company [[Rolex]] since 2001. The Race prize is known as the Fastnet Challenge Cup.{{TOC right}}

The race's main focus is on monohull handicap racing, which is presently conducted under the [[Royal Ocean Racing Club]]'s own [[International Rating Certificate|IRC]] Rating Rule, which is awarded the overall trophy. However, the race has recently opened to more classes, including multihulls and providing one design class starts for the [[Volvo Ocean Race]] Class, [[IMOCA 60]] and [[Class40]]. It has also seen an increase in participation in double-handed racing.