2 sources · updated 27 Oct 2026
The Mini-Fastnet has been run since 1984 by the Winches Club, an association founded in 1983 and based in Tréboul, Douarnenez. Like the Fastnet Race, it requires rounding the Fastnet Rock off southern Ireland.
Open to Class Mini monohulls, it is sailed double-handed with two rankings: prototypes and production boats. It is one of the qualifying courses for the Mini Transat and is, for many young skippers, a first taste of offshore racing.
The start has been from Douarnenez since 2002, over about 700 miles until 2006 and about 600 miles from 2008. The 2007 edition was cancelled, as was 2020 (Covid-19). In 2021 the course was shortened to 465 miles towards the Gironde estuary, and in 2022 cut to about 500 miles because of weather.
Winners include Catherine Chabaud, Bernard Stamm, Vincent Riou, Thomas Ruyant, Ian Lipinski, Thomas Coville and Ambrogio Beccaria. In 2026, Caroline Boule and Benoit Marie won the prototypes and Eliot Poughon and Basile Gautier the production boats.