The ultimate challenge
Marking the 100th anniversary of the Royal Ocean Racing Club, the 2025 edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race is certain to be a special one. From its humble beginnings, the race upon which the RORC was founded, has grown to become the world’s biggest offshore race, with 430 yachts competing in 2023. The next edition will start from Cowes on 26th July 2025 and finish, for a third time, in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France; a course of 695 miles.
Sailing vessel NAzca
Powered only by nature "Nazca" is a pure electric expedition sailing vessel. Originally built in 1984 she is a true classic with a modern twist and testament to maintaining the legacy fleet. She combines new methods and engineering with marine science and adventure.
Since her refit in March 2021, she has sailed over five thousand miles with no diesel and minimal shore power support. She is self sustaining, managed by renewable resources, using active regeneration under sail from the advanced and award winning Oceanvolt ServoProp electric motor, coupled with the solar on the deck and stern, powered by SailShape sails and rigging and with ship wide monitoring and battery technology from Victron Energy. With the assistance of PredictWInd to aid tactics and planning, she is an adventure yacht like no other.
We promote collaboration through engineering, adventure, education and science. With a network of key partners and sponsors. We are all seeking a greater understanding of the impact we have on the ocean, and its impact on us. The Fastnet is the ultimate test for ship and crew and our greatest challenge to date.
Thanks to our current sponsors!
Join Us on a Historic Journey in the Fastnet Race 2025
Nazca, our Contessa OOD34, is setting out to make history as the first-ever zero fossil-fuel zero biocide yacht to compete in the prestigious Fastnet Race. With your support, we can redefine what's possible in sustainable sailing while showcasing innovative technology and environmental stewardship on a global stage.
Why sponsor Nazca?
The Fastnet Race isn’t just a competition, it’s an internationally recognised event that draws thousands of sailors, spectators, and media outlets. Sponsoring Nazca offers:
- Global visibility: Get your brand in front of an audience passionate about adventure, innovation, and sustainability.
- Association with a pioneering mission: Be part of a ground-breaking campaign to prove that world-class racing can be achieved sustainably.
- Exclusive media coverage: Your brand will be highlighted in race-related content, including social media updates, videos, and press releases.
Our unique story
Wayne Peters, skipper of Nazca, brings decades of experience as a competitive sailor and sustainability advocate. Nazca has completed over 5000nm in the challenging waters of the South West UK without a diesel engine, and In 2023, he completed the 3000nm AZAB Race as the first and only yacht to not use diesel fuel, a feat covered in numerous publications.
Nazca’s mission for Fastnet 2025 is to push the boundaries of what’s possible, proving that advanced electric propulsion and renewable energy systems can perform at the highest levels of offshore racing, and in legacy vessels.
Sponsorship opportunities
We offer a range of partnership levels tailored to your goals:
- Title Sponsor (Exclusive)
- Primary logo placement on sails, hull, and crew uniforms.
- Prominent mention in all race communications and media coverage.
- Invitation to exclusive events and post-race debrief.
- Gold Sponsor
- Logo placement on sails and hull.
- Featured mention in press releases and race blogs.
- Behind-the-scenes access to race preparation.
- Silver Sponsor
- Logo on crew uniforms and race website.
- Mention in social media posts and updates.
- Supporter Sponsor
- Smaller logo placement or name recognition on the yacht.
- Shoutouts in social media and live updates.
Your impact
By sponsoring Nazca, you’re not just supporting a yacht—you’re championing:
- Innovation: Highlighting cutting-edge electric power and propulsion systems
- Sustainability: Showcasing the potential for fossil-free competitive sailing.
- Inspiration: Encouraging the next generation of sailors to prioritise the health of our oceans.
Thank you to our current sponsors!
A special thanks to
Oceanvolt, our primary partner in sustainable propulsion innovation.
Victron Energy for the LiFePO4 battery and system management
PredictWind for advanced weather monitoring and planning
SailShape for our sails and rigging
Padstow Boat Yard for helping with her refit needs
The Modernisation of a Classic
Contessa - ood34
Nazca, a Contessa OOD 34, is of an era of design heavily shaped by the International Offshore Rule (IOR), a measurement rule that encouraged specific hull shapes and performance characteristics aimed at maximising rating advantages in offshore racing.
A mk2, built in 1984, the mk1 model is forever etched in maritime history by the harrowing events of the 1979 Fastnet Race, becoming both a symbol of survival and controversy. Nazca’s journey is one of timeless challenge and resilience.
Why Modernise?
In a world increasingly conscious of environmental impact, Nazca’s transformation began as more than a technical upgrade; it was a statement of purpose. The oceans she sailed in her youth are under siege from pollution, overfishing, and climate change.
As sailors, stewards, and innovators, we saw an opportunity to redefine what a legacy racing yacht could be, not just fast and seaworthy, but also clean and sustainable. This was a challenge not only to the norms of yacht refitting but also to the mindset of a sport that often lags behind in embracing sustainability.
Changing the engine
The refit process began with stripping Nazca down to her bones. Her diesel engine and shaft drive was removed, replaced with a state-of-the-art Oceanvolt variable pitch electric propulsion system in sail drive configuration.
This change not only eliminated emissions but also reduced onboard noise and vibration, allowing for a more harmonious connection with the sea utilising regeneration from the prop under sail that is enough to maintain her systems, galley and recharge the battery.
Biocide free
The hull was another critical focus. Traditional antifouling paints, laden with biocides harmful to marine ecosystems, was replaced with an innovative biocide-free solution based on silicone and hydrogel, which gives the coating surface water-like properties making it difficult for fouling organisms to attach to the hull, and easy for them to be removed when the boat is in motion.
This reduces drag while keeping marine life safe from harm in keeping with Nazca's leave no trace ethos.
The ultimate in power management at sea
Nazca’s power systems were upgraded to feature high-capacity lithium-ion phosphate batteries, capable of supporting both propulsion and onboard galley systems during long offshore passages. Solar panels were integrated into her deck and stern.
Together with a hydrogeneration system, she can harness renewable energy from wind and sun. Nazca became self-reliant, her energy footprint reduced to a bare minimum as she seeks a greater synergy with the available natural resources.
Nazca’s transformation was not just about hardware, it was about proving what was possible with what we have now. She became the embodiment of a dream to compete in the world-famous Fastnet Race once more, this time as the first zero-fossil-fuel yacht in the competition.
The journey to the Fastnet has been as much about the people as the technology. The crew, a small but dedicated team, shares a vision of a cleaner, smarter future for sailing. Together, they have fine-tuned Nazca for double-handed sailing, employing ground breaking systems and undergoing rigorous sea trials to prepare her for the challenges ahead.
As she takes on the North Atlantic in the 2025 Fastnet Race, Nazca will carry with her the legacy of her predecessors and the innovations of today.
Nazca’s adventures are a reminder that the spirit of adventure is about innovation respect and overcoming adversity.
Wayne is a surfer, sailor and adventurer, and has designed remote energy systems for varied applications around the world for 20 years. In 2019 he was introduced to the remarkable Emily Penn, helping to prepare her research yacht for eXXpedition, the world circumnavigation to study ocean plastic. The insight into Emily's work and her 10 years at sea was nothing short of life changing and there was a distinct calling to apply his past experience to help protect our ocean.
We are in no doubt, a complete change of mindset is urgently needed, so we set out to collect data and seek answers. We are now testing the technology to its limit, allowing us to learn new methods and tactics.
Nazca’s story is not just her own, it is a rallying cry for sailors, engineers, and adventurers everywhere. She proves that tradition and innovation can coexist, that sailing yachts can be competitive and sustainable, and that the ocean deserves our respect and care.
Next generation Systems & sailing
Based in the UK, we assist adventurers and their sailing vessels from around the world
Sailing together on one ocean, on land in the UK's great South West
