DESIGNER OF THE LIMITED-EDITION ROLEX FASTNET RACE 2025 T-SHIRT
Q&A WITH DESIGNER SOPHIE SCOTT
Q&A WITH DESIGNER SOPHIE SCOTT
We’ve teamed up with artist Sophie Scott on a limited-edition Rolex Fastnet Race 2025 t-shirt, capturing the spirit of this iconic offshore race. Available at the North Sails stand in the Cherbourg-en-Cotentin race village—and online soon. Discover the story behind the design in our Q&A with Sophie.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your connection to sailing and the sea?
I was brought up on the West Coast of Scotland, and every spare childhood minute was spent on or by the water - cruising the Hebrides, dinghy racing (I was part of the British squads), sea swimming, rock pooling. After university, I moved to the south coast, as I wanted to be closer to the yacht racing scene. Today, the sea still influences my whole life—my free time, my artwork, and my friendships.
I was brought up on the West Coast of Scotland, and every spare childhood minute was spent on or by the water - cruising the Hebrides, dinghy racing (I was part of the British squads), sea swimming, rock pooling. After university, I moved to the south coast, as I wanted to be closer to the yacht racing scene. Today, the sea still influences my whole life—my free time, my artwork, and my friendships.
The Fastnet Rock and Lighthouse is at the heart of your design for our limited-edition t-shirt—what does it represent to you?
I wanted to convey the extraordinary conditions that the competitors of the Fastnet Race are entering into. This is one of the most extreme races in the sporting world and a huge challenge. The teams are often navigating big seas and battling high winds in the dark towards the imposing Fastnet Rock, and I wanted to really capture that mixture of human endurance and vulnerability.
I wanted the image of the lighthouse to cut through the dark and the chaos of the night—a beacon of hope, offering guidance to the sailors while the waves crash below. When competitors reach the lighthouse, they can turn back home, so it is a symbol of how far they have come.
I wanted to convey the extraordinary conditions that the competitors of the Fastnet Race are entering into. This is one of the most extreme races in the sporting world and a huge challenge. The teams are often navigating big seas and battling high winds in the dark towards the imposing Fastnet Rock, and I wanted to really capture that mixture of human endurance and vulnerability.
I wanted the image of the lighthouse to cut through the dark and the chaos of the night—a beacon of hope, offering guidance to the sailors while the waves crash below. When competitors reach the lighthouse, they can turn back home, so it is a symbol of how far they have come.
Can you talk us through the creative process behind the artwork?
I started with what I believe to be the things that set this particular race apart—the rock, the lighthouse, the wild seas, the number 100, the Royal Ocean Racing Club seahorse, and the idea that the race brings together a varied fleet that sail through the night.
Hokusai’s Great Wave was one of my biggest influences in this piece. The movement and power in his wave are incredible, so I chose to create a woodblock-style illustration to bring that dynamic element. This style also makes clever use of negative space, so it works well when printed on fabric.
All of this shaped the three initial sketched concepts. I then worked with the team at North Sails to decide which design we would take forward and add some finishing touches.
I started with what I believe to be the things that set this particular race apart—the rock, the lighthouse, the wild seas, the number 100, the Royal Ocean Racing Club seahorse, and the idea that the race brings together a varied fleet that sail through the night.
Hokusai’s Great Wave was one of my biggest influences in this piece. The movement and power in his wave are incredible, so I chose to create a woodblock-style illustration to bring that dynamic element. This style also makes clever use of negative space, so it works well when printed on fabric.
All of this shaped the three initial sketched concepts. I then worked with the team at North Sails to decide which design we would take forward and add some finishing touches.
What do you hope people feel when they wear your t-shirt design?
I hope people feel a sense of belonging. I want them to feel a part of the yachting community that surrounds this incredible event, particularly on this special 100th anniversary. Whether they are competitors out there in the elements or cheering from the shore, we are one big yachting family.
I hope people feel a sense of belonging. I want them to feel a part of the yachting community that surrounds this incredible event, particularly on this special 100th anniversary. Whether they are competitors out there in the elements or cheering from the shore, we are one big yachting family.
What role does location play in your work, and how does the coastline or sailing culture influence you?
I often get asked to do commissions of inland places or built-up areas, and I usually turn them down. I need to feel a connection to the subject for the work to flow, and it is always the coastal scenes and themes that make me light up as an artist. The coastal colors, the greys and blues, give me a sense of peace that inland scenes just don't deliver for me.
I enjoy trying to capture the ever-moving elements, such as light on water, the power of a wave, or the majesty of a yacht sailing by. It can be frustrating, but when I feel I get it right, it is so rewarding.
I often get asked to do commissions of inland places or built-up areas, and I usually turn them down. I need to feel a connection to the subject for the work to flow, and it is always the coastal scenes and themes that make me light up as an artist. The coastal colors, the greys and blues, give me a sense of peace that inland scenes just don't deliver for me.
I enjoy trying to capture the ever-moving elements, such as light on water, the power of a wave, or the majesty of a yacht sailing by. It can be frustrating, but when I feel I get it right, it is so rewarding.
As an artist, do you see any parallels between sailing and creativity?
Absolutely! There are so many variables in sailing—the wind, the waves, the sails, the competitors—so that no race is the same as another, and art is the same. You cannot replicate something you have created before. Paints mix differently, lines change, and your thoughts and ideas change each time. Every piece is different and through that we learn and grow, just as we do on the water.
Absolutely! There are so many variables in sailing—the wind, the waves, the sails, the competitors—so that no race is the same as another, and art is the same. You cannot replicate something you have created before. Paints mix differently, lines change, and your thoughts and ideas change each time. Every piece is different and through that we learn and grow, just as we do on the water.
What does it mean to you to be part of the 100th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race?
It is such an honor to be a part of this historical edition. The Fastnet race is iconic in the sailing world, as is the North Sails brand, and to be a part of this collaboration is a dream come true.
It is such an honor to be a part of this historical edition. The Fastnet race is iconic in the sailing world, as is the North Sails brand, and to be a part of this collaboration is a dream come true.
VISIT US AT THE RACE VILLAGE
The Sophie Scott X North Sails Limited-edition t-shirt for the Rolex Fastnet Race 2025 will be available at the North Sails stand in the Cherbourg-en-Cotentin race village. Discover more about the full collection by following the link below.
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