Arcadia of Harwich, the sleek Arcona 400 owned by Penny and Mark Gillett, is currently racing in the highly competitive IRC 3 division of the Rolex Fastnet Race. Departing from Cowes on Saturday, 26 July 2025, the yacht – sailed by Penny & Mark Gillett and their six crew members – is making its mark on one of the sport’s most storied offshore challenges. Both Mark and Penny are long-standing members of the Royal Harwich Yacht Club and brought Arcadia off the East Coast circuit to compete in this landmark event.
The Rolex Fastnet Race, organised biennially by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), dates back to its inaugural contest in 1925. The 2025 edition aptly marks the centennial of both the race and the RORC’s founding. The course spans approximately 695 nautical miles, beginning in Cowes, proceeding down the English Channel and around Land’s End, then across the Celtic Sea to round the iconic Fastnet Rock off Ireland before finishing in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France.
This year’s race is the largest ever – featuring a record 444 yachts and over 3,500 crew members from dozens of nations, with fleet numbers far exceeding the previous record of 430 starters in 2023. It also marks the return of the Admiral’s Cup as a two-boat national team event, adding extra prestige to this historic race.
The Arcona 400 is a true icon of the cruiser-racer world. Launched in 2001 as the first model in Arcona’s “New Generation” series, she quickly set the benchmark for performance yachts that blend speed with comfort. With over 160 boats built before production ended in 2014, the Arcona 400 remains the most sold model in Arcona Yachts’ history. Her elegant lines, advanced vacuum-infused hull and deck, laminated bulkheads and traditional steel frame all contribute to her strength and responsiveness under sail.
Named Sailboat of the Show in 2001 and Overall Winner of Gotland Runt in 2008, the Arcona 400 has a proven record on the racecourse. Just as impressively, she has also carried cruisers safely across oceans – valued for her easy handling, spacious interior and family-friendly design. Whether racing or long-distance voyaging, the Arcona 400 continues to earn the loyalty of sailors worldwide.
Yacht: Arcona 400 (performance cruiser-racer)
Owners: Penny & Mark Gillett, experienced offshore sailors
Crew size: 8 total including Penny & Mark Gillett, racing in IRC 3 class
Club affiliation: Royal Harwich Yacht Club members
The Arcona 400’s well-regarded blend of speed, seaworthiness, and comfort positions Arcadia strongly in the competitive IRC fleet – especially well-suited for the fast, varied conditions of this offshore marathon. SE Yachts is proud to see one of our preferred models embraced at this level of competition, and we extend our best wishes to Mark, Penny and their crew as they tackle the elements, strategy and endurance that define the Fastnet legendary offshore challenge.
Click here to follow Arcadia of Harwich in the Rolex Fastnet Race >