28 Boats Make the Dash Across the Channel to the Finish of This Year’s YM Celtic Triangle Race
The 2025 YM Celtic Triangle Race reached its thrilling conclusion in the early hours of Thursday, June 19. After nearly two weeks and covering 600 miles, the event saw a final influx of excitement as 28 determined boats raced across the Channel to finish atop Falmouth Harbour.
Ending with a dash, the race featured a short 100-mile leg from Tréguier in Brittany back to the iconic Pendennis line in Falmouth. This leg was a swift conclusion for those competitors who had previously tackled longer passages of 190 and 300 miles from Falmouth to Kinsale and Kinsale to Tréguier. The anticipation in the air was palpable as sailors prepared for the final sprint.
However, the start was initially challenged by calm conditions and dense fog, making visibility a significant hurdle for the fleet. To ensure safety and a fair start, the race committee heeded the fleet’s suggestion to move the starting line outside of the river entrance. They also shifted from a fixed start time to a flexible half-hour window for yachts to cross the line by the Basse Crublent buoy, allowing for more manageable timing adjustments.
Once the boats embarked on the leg, the fog quickly lifted, revealing a gentle south-easterly breeze accompanied by bright sunshine. This shift invited sailors to hoist their spinnakers, racing towards Falmouth in what could only be described as “champagne conditions.”
As dawn broke on June 19, the majority of the fleet crossed the line, with the Il Corvo, a JPK 1030 captained by Roeland Franssens and Astrid de Vin, making a triumphant first appearance at 02:54. Just 54 seconds later, the Sunfast 3300 Kestrel, helmed by Oliver Grogono and Simon Bamford, followed, showcasing a remarkable finish after nearly 15 hours of racing. In Division Two, solo sailor Tom Dunstan returned with his Sunfast 3200 Little Wing, crossing the line slightly later, with another Sunfast 3200, Graciosa, piloted by Pierre Garoche, taking second place.
In the cruising category, Gary Heward and Russell Hawkins were first across the line aboard their Maxi 1100 AmyLou, followed closely by Alistair Cooke sailing solo on Sundance, his Sigma 36, and Tim Stevenson and Bill Darley on their Rustler 37 Andrillot II.
Kathy Claydon, skipper of the Arcona 370 Arcsine, shared her thoughts on the experience:
“It was really difficult to see the other boats in the fog at the start, and I didn’t want to hang around there. The race committee have been fantastic at listening to the competitors, and when we suggested that the start line was moved at short notice out of the river, and to change to a start window, they were happy to listen and made a decision quickly. Not all race committees are so flexible, and it has helped make the event really enjoyable.”
Once all three legs were complete, the elapsed times were calculated to determine the overall results. Award ceremonies took place during a prizegiving lunch on Friday, June 20, at the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club. To no one’s surprise, Roeland Franssens and Astrid de Vin aboard Il Corvo claimed first place overall, with Dave Butters and Ian Braham’s Joy in second, and father-daughter duo Donal and Roisin O’Halloran aboard Sunfire taking third place.
Class distinctions were equally impressive: Il Corvo led Class 1, while Joy took Class 2. Class 3 winners included Gary Heward and Russell Hawkins on AmyLou, with Andrillot II and Dark Horse following close behind.
A range of special awards highlighted individual achievements, including:
- Lowest aggregate corrected time – Il Corvo
- First mixed crew – Il Corvo
- Ancient mariners (a crew with a combined age over 120) – Joy
- Newcomer award – Donal and Roisin O’Halloran
- Young Sailor (under 30 years of age) – Oliver Grogono
- Personal Contribution to the Event – Kuba Szymanski (Polished Manx)
- Perseverance – Ossian, Tim Greenaway, and Steve Leigh
- Commitment award – Ventura and David Faucher
The Royal Cornwall Yacht Club not only hosted a spectacular event but also fostered a sense of camaraderie amongst both veteran Triangle racers and newcomers alike. Participants expressed enjoyment derived from the shared spirit that developed across the diverse fleet of yachts.
This year’s race benefitted from generous support from several sponsors, including Hyde Sails, Salcombe Gin, Penrose Sailmakers, and Taylor Money Ltd, alongside Yachting Monthly.
Looking ahead, organizers are planning to host the event again next year before returning to a schedule that alternates years, syncing with other offshore regattas like the Azores and Back (AZAB) race. Excitingly, there are plans to introduce an additional ‘Cruiser’ class for boats without an IRC rating, allowing for a wider variety of competitors while maintaining essential safety requirements.