After two decades in hibernation, one of sailing’s most iconic events is back. The Admiral’s Cup, long regarded as the unofficial world championship of offshore racing, returns to Cowes in three days time for the first time since 2003. With international teams, grand-prix yachts, and elite crews descending on the Solent, the 2025 edition is being hailed as a long-overdue revival—an event that celebrates offshore racing’s golden past while embracing its fast-evolving future.
The Cup’s return is no coincidence. Offshore racing is surging in popularity again. From the Rolex Fastnet to the Rolex Sydney to Hobart, interest in endurance-based, tactical, team-driven racing has grown. More nations are investing in offshore programmes, and many of the world’s top sailors—from America’s Cup veterans to Olympic medallists—are once again seeking the unique challenge of a long-format, multi-race series. The Admiral’s Cup, with its emphasis on both inshore and offshore performance, is the perfect battleground.
The Admiral’s Cup, true international competition
First held in 1957, the Admiral’s Cup was born from a desire to create a true international team competition. Founded by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) with encouragement from Club Admiral Sir Myles Wyatt and Peter Green, the event was designed to pit top British yachts against their American rivals in a series that would include the Channel Race, two Cowes Week prizes, and the Rolex Fastnet Race.
Over the years, it evolved into the pinnacle of team offshore racing. With national pride on the line, three-boat teams from around the world battled it out every two years. Victory was prestigious—equivalent in stature to winning the America’s Cup or Olympic gold in offshore sailing circles. Legendary skippers, designers, and tacticians earned their reputations here.
In 1987, New Zealand won for the first and only time, fielding a dominant squad that included Mal Cumming’s Goldcorp, Adrian Burr’s Propaganda, and Peter Walker’s Kiwi. That year, the Fastnet Race finale tested boats to their limits and solidified Kiwi credibility in big-boat offshore sailing.
But by the early 2000s, the Admiral’s Cup had lost momentum. Changing race formats, logistical complexity, and a shift of focus toward the America’s Cup and round-the-world campaigns drew top teams elsewhere. The 2003 edition was the last to be held—Australian Bob Oatley’s Wild Oats won, but with just a handful of nations competing, the magic had faded. And the Cup has remained in Australia since, even with a cheeky invitation from the Australia’s Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club that the Brit’s come to Australia to win it back.
The RORC attempted to restart the Cup in 2005 with a mixed-format fleet including Mumm 30s and Swan 45s, but entry numbers failed to reach the critical mass. It was cancelled before it began, and for two decades, the Cup remained a legend of the past.
Until now.
Popularity in offshore racing opens the door for the 2025 Admiral’s Cup
In 2025, the Admiral’s Cup returns with a refined format that reflects changes in the sport while honouring its original DNA. Instead of three-boat national teams, the event now requires two yachts per team, grouped by IRC class. Class 1 includes larger boats (44–56 feet) such as TP52s, Cookson 50s, and modern custom builds. Class 2 covers high-performance yachts in the 36–44-foot range—JPK 1180s, GP42s, Ker 40s, and similar designs.
This two-boat structure not only lowers the financial and logistical barrier to entry but also matches the current landscape of competitive offshore yachts. It allows greater variety in boat selection and encourages nations to build strong, versatile duos that can handle both short-course and offshore racing.
The regatta will blend inshore and offshore tests, from Solent sprints to 600-mile grinds. Crucially, it also restores the Fastnet Race to its traditional role as the finale—a nod to the Cup’s roots and a challenge that truly defines the best all-round offshore teams.
Nations and champions
Teams in 2025 hail from a dozen nations, many with deep offshore pedigree. The UK fields multiple teams, including past RORC Commodore James Neville’s Ino Noir and RORC Red and White squads. Germany brings depth with Red Bandit, Imagine, Elida, and Edelweiss. France, the USA, and the Netherlands all send formidable entries.
New Zealand, fresh off a surge in offshore prowess, is also back—headlined by Caro, winner of the 2023 Fastnet, and Callisto, skippered by James Murray.
Australia, Sweden, Ireland, Monaco, Italy, and Hong Kong round out a truly international field. In total, more than 25 boats will compete, each bringing elite crews and national pride. The revival has drawn in America’s Cup champions, Volvo Ocean Race winners, Figaro veterans, and promising youth sailors. It’s a constellation of talent unlike anything the offshore world has seen in recent years.
2025 schedule overview
The 2025 Admiral’s Cup will play out over two weeks, from July 17 to August 1. It begins with measurement and registration at the Royal Yacht Squadron and RORC in Cowes, where yachts undergo final checks and teams settle into their campaign base.
The social highlight follows this Friday (18 Jul)y with the Admiral’s Cup Welcome Party and Owner’s Reception, an elegant gathering of sailing’s international elite.
Racing gets underway on Saturday (19 July) with a short offshore race, continuing on Sunday (20 July) with further coastal tests designed to challenge navigation, teamwork, and night-time sailing proficiency. These races are critical—long enough to be tactical, short enough to separate the disciplined from the distracted.
After a layday for repairs, rest, and refinement, the focus shifts to three days of intense inshore racing from Tuesday 22 to Thursday 24 July. These Solent-based contests are fast, furious, and loaded with boat-on-boat action—perfect for showcasing boat handling, crew work, and tactical execution.
Then comes the headline act: the Rolex Fastnet Race, starting Friday 25 July. It’s the ultimate test—over 600 miles of strategic navigation, seamanship, and endurance. For Admiral’s Cup scoring, this race counts heavily. It can make or break a team’s campaign.
After rounding the Fastnet Rock, surviving the Irish Sea, and returning to finish off Cherbourg, crews will regroup and return to Cowes ahead of the final Prizegiving on Thursday 31 July.
This is no exhibition. This is the return of offshore sailing’s most complete test.
With weather, endurance, and tactics all in play, the 2025 Admiral’s Cup won’t just reward star power—it will favour resilience, preparation, and perfect timing.
