The return of the Admiral's Cup was a resounding success - a blueprint for other events
by Louay Habib, RORC 4 Aug 16:58 PDT
Teasing Machine (FRA) - Admirals Cup AC1 start - Rolex Fastnet Race - July 2025 © Kurt Arrigo / Rolex
The Admiral’s Cup is back - reborn after more than two decades.
Following over two years of planning and preparation by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, its revival marked a defining moment in the Club’s centenary celebrations and the 100th anniversary Rolex Fastnet Race. Once the pinnacle of international offshore sailing, the return of the Admiral’s Cup was a resounding success, setting the stage for a bold new era.
Fifteen two-boat teams representing prestigious yacht clubs from four continents answered the call to compete, not just with exceptional IRC-rated boats but with extraordinary sailors. From Olympians, America’s Cup and Round the World veterans, to passionate Corinthian crews, they came not only to race but to make history and a chance to etch their team’s name onto one of sailing’s most revered trophies.
Since its inception in 1957 the Admiral’s Cup has stood as one of the sport’s greatest prizes, yet the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) had never entered a team.
Founded in 1953 by Prince Rainier III, the Yacht Club de Monaco made its Admiral’s Cup debut in 2025 – and seized victory. The campaign was led by Rainier’s grandson, Pierre Casiraghi, and YCM member Peter Harrison. After a fierce and hard-fought campaign that included the RORC Channel Race, six high-stakes inshore races in the Solent, and the legendary Rolex Fastnet Race YCM’s victory was secured by the narrowest of margins. The Admiral’s Cup was presented to Casiraghi and Harrison by RORC Admiral Janet Grosvenor.
The Yacht Club de Monaco full squad: Pierre Casiraghi, Peter Harrison, Matt Adams, Rodney Ardern, Philip Baird, Matthew James Barber, Cesare Bozzetti, Cole Brauer, Marco Carpinello, Thomas Dawson, Cameron Dunn, Andrea Green, Massimo Gherarducci, William Harris, Carlo Huisman, Adam Jackson, Stacey Jackson, Andrew McLean, Lorenzo Mazza, Oakley Marsh, Joe Newton, Robbie Naismith, Nicolo Robello, Ben Saxton, Graeme Spence, Juan Totto.
Heading into the Rolex Fastnet Race, with the single inshore discard in play and the Channel Race results factored in, the scoreboard for the Admiral’s Cup could not have been tighter.
In AC1, just one point separated the top three: Giovanni Lombardi Stronati’s Django WR51 (YCCS) held a razor-thin lead over Peter Harrison’s Jolt 3 (YCM) and Karl Kwok’s Beau Geste (RHKYC). In AC2, James Murray’s Callisto (RNZYS) and Karl Kwok’s Beau Ideal (RHKYC) were tied on points, with Pierre Casiraghi’s Jolt 6 (YCM) close behind in third.
In the final hours of the Rolex Fastnet Race, the overall IRC leaderboard was in constant flux. In the closing miles the Yacht Club de Monaco snatched victory from the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, still chasing its first Admiral’s Cup win. The fight for third was equally gripping. After a dramatic recount the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda edged out the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron to complete the podium.
It was a finish worthy of the Cup’s legendary legacy, decided by centimetres, seconds and heart.
Pierre Casiraghi, Vice President of the Yacht Club de Monaco and co-skipper of Jolt 6, was in disbelief after the win was announced: “Honestly, I still can’t quite believe what we’ve achieved, it’s just incredible. I’m not a professional driver and this was the most exhausting offshore racing I’ve ever done. The team was perfect, especially Will Harris, who navigated flawlessly from the Solent to the Fastnet Rock. Every move was executed with precision.
"We had to fight right to the end. Callisto passed us and we had to claw our way back to stay in contention. It was relentless. What made this special was the team. We trusted each other and everyone gave everything. I also want to applaud the Royal Ocean Racing Club for their excellent organisation. For the Yacht Club de Monaco, this is historic. Monaco is small but this proves we can do big things. I hope it inspires the next generation of sailors back home. I can’t wait to return and celebrate this with them.”
Peter Harrison, skipper of Jolt 3 (YCM), called the win the highlight of his sailing career: “This is my biggest result in sailing and I don’t think there’ll ever be a bigger one. To help lead the Yacht Club de Monaco to its first Admiral’s Cup win on our debut campaign is just extraordinary. Pierre Casiraghi and I believed in the vision from the start. With Matt Adams managing the project and a phenomenal team around us, we built something really special.
"Many of the sailors I’ve campaigned with for years and the chemistry across both boats was outstanding. Everyone, from helm to shore crew, played their part. This win elevates YCM’s position in offshore racing and I hope it sparks even more momentum behind their programmes. Right now I’m exhausted but I suspect it won’t be long before we’re thinking about how to defend the title. It’s been a phenomenal experience.”
Karl Kwok, Team Principal of Beau Geste (RHKYC), a legend of the sport, reflected on Hong Kong’s return:
“The last time we competed in the Admiral’s Cup was 1995, under the colonial government. We finished seventh out of eight, but we beat England and we still laugh about that! When I heard the Cup was being revived, we knew we had to be part of it. We built our own Fast40+ specifically for this challenge, tailored to the latest designs. It’s been a long journey and my 100th regatta with Gavin Brady. I’m proud we’re still pushing hard after all these years.”
Gavin Brady, Team Manager and helm for Beau Geste, who has competed in six America’s Cup campaigns, the Whitbread and Volvo Ocean Races, was generous in defeat:
“Finishing the Admiral’s Cup with the Rolex Fastnet Race was special, it’s the ultimate offshore challenge, it’s the benchmark. You’re not just racing competitors, you’re racing Mother Nature. Our match race with Jolt 3 (YCM) and Caro (RNZYS) was unbelievable - 700 miles and we were never more than a few boat lengths apart. One boat would inch ahead then the others would catch up. It was relentless. That kind of battle in a race as iconic as the Rolex Fastnet Race and in its centenary year - that’s something we’ll remember for a very long time.”
Vasco Vascotto, tactician on Django WR51 (YCCS), who has over 25 world titles in various classes, was philosophical in defeat:
“The Admiral’s Cup is one of those events you never forget. We’ve all done thousands of races but this one is different. It’s emotional, rare and unforgettable. You don’t get many chances, maybe two or three in your life if you’re lucky. That’s what makes it special. We lost by seconds after 695 miles in the Rolex Fastnet Race, but that’s the beauty of it; you can’t give away a single metre. It’s pure, real sailing. Huge thanks to the RORC for bringing the Cup back to Cowes. We were given a fantastic welcome by everyone.”
Juan Vila was navigator on Django JPK (YCCS), which was third in class for the Rolex Fastnet Race by just 18 seconds after IRC time correction. Vila, one of the world’s most decorated sailors, praised the event’s structure:
“The Admiral’s Cup format was exceptional. Combining inshore and offshore races like the Rolex Fastnet Race made it truly complete. On a smaller boat the Fastnet was demanding nearly 700 miles over four days with tides and weather adding complexity. For me as navigator it was non-stop. It reminded me of younger days - intense, tactical, and a true test of all-around sailing skill.”
Gerd-Jan Poortman, skipper of ROST Van Uden (Royal Maas YC), praised his young crew:
“This team is the future of our sport. Most of them are in their 20s or even younger and only two had done the Rolex Fastnet Race before. They’ve put in two years of hard work, and it all paid off. We didn’t just race—we raced flawlessly. Watching them deliver under pressure in an older, smaller, heavier boat was emotional. I was once in their shoes and now I’m proud to pass the torch to the next generation.”
Eric de Turckheim, skipper of Teasing Machine (YCF), the former Vice Commodore and Head of Race Programme for RORC, led the winning Admiral’s Cup team for the Rolex Fastnet Race with Philippe Frantz’s Albator (YCF). Eric de Turckheim and past RORC Commodore James Neville, who was racing Ino Noir (RORC Red), played a central role in reviving the Admiral’s Cup:
“Reviving the Admiral’s Cup has been a passion project for me. As Head of Programme and Race for the RORC, I wanted to recreate the magic of what, as a young sailor in the 1970s, was the ultimate dream. We needed to bridge the growing gap between offshore and inshore sailing. That’s why I proposed a two-boat, club-based format, easy to enter but demanding complete versatility.
“The Rolex Fastnet Race played to our team’s strengths: real offshore conditions where seamanship, smart navigation and preparation matter. We weren’t the fastest on paper but we were tactical and resilient. To finish as top team for the Rolex Fastnet Race with no one else close—that’s something I’m incredibly proud of. It shows French offshore sailing is alive and thriving.”
The Admiral’s Cup has returned - reborn with purpose and pride by the Royal Ocean Racing Club. At the 2025 Prize Giving, held in the Rolex Fastnet Race Village in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, RORC CEO Jeremy Wilton introduced Commodore Deb Fish to the stage. In her closing remarks, she thanked the RORC Race Team, volunteers and all competing clubs—before officially announcing the 2027 dates.
The next edition of the Admiral’s Cup is provisionally scheduled to begin on 17 July 2027 in Cowes, with the 52nd Rolex Fastnet Race starting on 24 July 2027.
Admiral’s Cup Race Director Steve Cole commented: “Bringing the Admiral’s Cup back after more than two decades was always going to be a challenge, but I think we can be incredibly proud of how it was executed. Our vision was to make it as accessible as possible. The mix of inshore and offshore racing is unique in the sport, and the standard of competition was phenomenal.
"The IRC Rating Office worked tirelessly with the teams in advance, and the spirit on the water was outstanding with very few protests and incredible mutual respect between competitors. One moment that really stood out was the thunderous applause for Van Uden at the prize giving. A young, largely amateur team, they embodied the energy and inclusivity we hoped to inspire and the cheer came from their rivals. That says everything about the atmosphere we wanted to create.
"This event couldn’t have happened without the dedication of the RORC Race Team, volunteers and the entire RORC organisation. I’m confident we’ve laid the foundation for a truly global and long-lasting revival of the Admiral’s Cup,” concluded Steve Cole.
More on the Admiral’s Cup admiralscup.rorc.org
Full 2025 Admiral’s Cup Results sailracehq.com/results/event/0253a697-f6be-4906-be45-dc7d3fc414e2