American Team win The British American Cup 2025
by Robin Tott 25 Oct 2025 20:12 UTC
23-26 October 2025
The British American Cup 2025 © Freddie Cardew-Smith
On day one, the teams arrived at Queen Mary to a very unfavourable forecast. Some models have the breeze expected to peak at 50 miles an hour.
After briefing with the umpires, the decision was taken to send one representative boat from each team afloat to see how they could cope with the conditions on the water. As they handled it admirably, the remainder of the teams were sent afloat just after 11 o'clock. Racing got under way fairly shortly thereafter with reefs and spinnakers. The first race saw significant gusts, some around 30 knots and was very tight the entire way around, on the final beat as the wind picked up to its strongest, some frantic Team Racing occurred, with the American Team coming out on top The British team fought back winning three equally tight races to end the day 3-1 up.
Day two was also windy but overall, a much more pleasant day, with some sunshine even showing its face. The American Team won a tight first race with a strong conversion at the penultimate mark and balance the beat well to make the score 3-2. The British won the second race just meters before the finish line to make it 4-2. With the wind continuing to build the American team won three races on the bounce to take the lead 5-4, making the 6th and final race of the day a critical one in the first to 7 contest. The British team dug team and won the last race to leave the scores level 5-5 going into the final day.
The final day of the dawned lighter but just as puffy with 10-18knts and sunshine.
With the scores tied the series (8 years of racing) effectively came down to a best of three. The first team to win two races in the day was going to take the sixth series of the British American Cup. The American Team put a lot of pressure on the British Team who had to fight very hard. The race progressed incredibly slowly, because no one was ever stable often with all 8 boats involved in moves. The British led round the last mark of the first race but the Americans sailed an outstanding beat to convert it near the finish line. The final race was very tense with a long course meaning big splits in the fleet. The race developed into a 1,2 not last play for the British and there was a big battle at the back as Captain Arthur Henderson and Murray Hampshire worked together to keep an American in last under significant pressure. As the last beat progressed the Americans 3 on 2 pressure told, and they put the British into last as the leading British pair neared the finish. Scott Wallis and Andy Cornah chose not to finish and went back down the beat to re-engage but it wasn't to be. The Americans defended well and secured a winning combination as the approach the finish, and with it they clinched the BA Cup 7-5 and the 6th Series.
The British Team Captain, Arthur Henderson said "The match was a very close one. Every single race went down to the last lap and many of them the last moments coming into the finish. A bit disappointing from our side but the racing has been really good fun. Very proud of the team and everyone sailed really well, we will just need to practice a little bit more! Congratulations to the American Team."
The American Team Captain, Kyle Shattuck said "The win feels excellent and what a fun regatta! Everything was excellent from the hospitality to the race management. I have been sailing the BA Cup since 2003 and this was the most team racing that we've done, the best competition that we've had and the closest event so far."
That evening, competitors and volunteers gathered at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in London for a celebratory Prizegiving Dinner. Medals replicating those awarded in the 1930 series were presented to all competitors, while the Royal Thames presented Seawanhaka with a book covering the 104 year history of the BA Cup, before the American team were awarded the 6th Series Trophy.
Royal Thames Yacht Club Rear Commodore Sailing Tom Partridge commented 'The British American Cup delivered three days of 4v4 at the highest level. Both teams battled hard in breeze conditions and it all came down to the final three races. Congratulations to the American team on winning the sixth series. I'm immensely proud of the determination and spirit shown by our British team. The Royal Thames is honoured to be the British custodian of this prestigious event, and we look forward with great anticipation to the start of the seventh series in two years' time'
Thanks go to Nyetimber, the Official Celebration Partner of the Royal Thames Yacht Club's 250th Anniversary, for adding a sparkling finish to event.
A huge thank you to the numerous volunteers and competitors whose efforts made this year's British American Cup such a memorable event.