– August 1st 2023

 
M
ax Klink’s Botin 52, Caro, has officially been declared the winner of the 50th Edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race 2023. BP333 Caro crossed the finish line at 06:25:02 on Tuesday 25th July giving them a total race time of 2 days 16 hours 40minutes and 2 seconds. A record 430 yachts started the bruising 50th edition of the Rolex Fastnet, a 695nm course from Cowes around the Fastnet Rock and on to Cherbourg.

The fact that the opening 12 hours of the race were so bruising, with winds gusting close to 40 knots and boat-breaking seas off the south coast of England, made victory all the sweeter for Klink and his crew of professional sailors as they admired the great names that have gone before them, engraved on the base of the Fastnet Challenge Cup

“The first 12 hours we were just in survival mode, trying not to break anything, trying to keep the boat at 100 per cent. I wasn’t thinking about any title or trophy, it was just about getting through the conditions.”

“This is a legendary group of sailors who I have been fortunate to sail with for a few years now,” said the Swiss owner, “but when we set out on this race I never expected that we could win. It’s a dream come true, and all the more special that this is the 50th edition of such an iconic race.

The winning crew on Caro are: William Parker, Wade Morgan, Ryan Godfrey, Justin Ferris, Jono Swain, James Paterson, Harry Hall, Cian Guilfoyle, Andrew McCorquodale, Andy Green, Adrian Stead and owner Max Klink.

“The first 12 hours we were just in survival mode, trying not to break anything, trying to keep the boat at 100%. I wasn’t thinking about any title or trophy, it was just about getting through the conditions.” Max Klink