The 2025 RORC Cowes Dinard St Malo Race delivered high drama, tactical brilliance, and a stellar performance from Farr 100 Leopard 3 (MON)—which claimed a commanding hat-trick victory: Line Honours, IRC Zero win, and overall corrected-time triumph, earning the prestigious King Edward VII Challenge Cup.
🏆 A Masterclass in Execution
Skipper Joost Schuijf and the seasoned Leopard crew left nothing to chance.
“Preparation, teamwork, and reliability—those are the foundations of this win,” said Schuijf. “No gear failures, no errors—just a clean, focused race.”
With decades of program development, many crew members have risen through the ranks together, creating an unshakeable bond and razor-sharp performance edge.
Leopard’s Race Manager Chris Sherlock revealed the game plan that helped them sail clear of the fleet:
“We gambled early—held the middle of the Solent and broke into the new Channel breeze first. That call sealed our lead.”
The all-hands-on-deck strategy, no watch system, and precision maneuvers saw Leopard 3 extend its lead under pressure and cross the finish in St Malo ahead of the fleet.
🌊 Glorious Conditions, Fierce Competition
Perfect summer conditions set the stage for this historic offshore sprint. A scorching easterly breeze powered the massive fleet out of Cowes, only to falter near Hurst Narrows, where many found themselves adrift in patchy air. Leopard’s ability to break through this transition zone and pick up new wind proved race-defining.
🥇 Notable Class Wins
- IRC One: JPK 1180 Django (ITA), skippered by Michele Ivaldi
- IRC Two: J/133 Corazon (GBR), helmed by 27-year-old Lawrence Herbert
- IRC Three: JPK 1080 Muzungu! (GBR), with co-skippers Sam White & Sam North
- IRC Two-Handed: Pogo RC Amarris (FRA), sailed by Achille Nebout & Gildas Mahé
- Multihull Line Honours: Grainger 36 Uno (GBR), James Holder
- Multihull Winner (Corrected Time): Dazcat 1295 Minor Swing (FRA), Didier Bouillard
🚀 Youth & Comebacks: Corazon and Amarris Shine
The victory by J/133 Corazon marked a breakthrough for one of the youngest crews in the fleet.
“Most of us met at university,” said skipper Lawrence Herbert. “This win proves that youth and strategy can go hand-in-hand.”
Meanwhile, French duo Nebout & Mahé bounced back after a dismasting in the Normandy Channel Race, using a borrowed boat to clinch the first leg of the IRC Double-Handed European Championship.
“It’s a new boat, a new challenge, and the result couldn’t be sweeter,” said Nebout.
📅 What’s Next
With five races now complete in the Cowes Offshore Racing Series, all eyes shift to the Channel Race (July 19) — a double-duty event that also kicks off the 2025 Admiral’s Cup.
And for Leopard 3? The Rolex Fastnet Race awaits — and they’re more ready than ever.
📸 Photos: Paul Wyeth / RORC
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