As the world’s top sailors prepare to set off on the centenary edition of the world’s largest offshore yacht race, the organisers are charting a new course for fan inclusion through a partnership with multilingual event technology provider Interprefy.

On 26 July 2025, the 100th Rolex Fastnet Race will see thousands of competitors race from Cowes, Isle of Wight, to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France—navigating a gruelling 695-mile course. And for the first time in the event’s history, international fans will be able to engage with the race like never before.

Interprefy will provide professional interpretation, AI speech translation, closed captions, and multilingual subtitles across key moments of the race, including trophy ceremonies and masterclasses.

Commenting on the growing demand for language access in sports,
Johann Brégand, Global Head of Institutions at Interprefy, said:

“Events like the Rolex Fastnet Race are steeped in tradition, and this year, real-time fan engagement is at the helm. We’re seeing an increasing demand for our multilingual services at major sporting events as organisers look for improved ways to engage their fan base. Bringing our Remote Simultaneous Interpretation and AI speech translation services to this iconic race will ensure fans from all linguistic backgrounds can fully participate and celebrate together.”

Interprefy’s language support for the 100th Rolex Fastnet Race includes:

• Two-way Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI) between English and French

• Live AI speech translation with support for additional languages

• Live closed captions and subtitles in multiple formats

• Captions displayed on giant screens for inclusivity and accessibility

• Easy access via the Interprefy mobile app

This multilingual initiative follows Interprefy’s recent success at the Bastide Médical UTS Nîmes tournament, where the company provided its Interprefy AI solution. Fans at the event experienced real-time speech translation of live coaching, mid-match interviews, and post-match player interviews. AI-generated subtitles were displayed on giant screens, enabling over 12,000 fans to follow the action in their home language and feel closer to the players’ emotions.

Brégand concludes:

“As the intersection of sport, technology, and international culture continues to grow, organisers of large-scale sporting events are embracing language technology to expand their reach and accessibility.
With Interprefy, event planners can integrate human interpretation and AI-powered speech translation into any format—whether in person, virtual, or hybrid. We believe this is the future of fan engagement at live events.”

By equipping the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race with real-time multilingual capabilities, the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) not only celebrates 100 years of offshore racing but also sets a new benchmark for accessibility and inclusion in international sporting events.