The 2025 Admiral’s Cup opened with a punishing test in the Channel Race. What began as a soft departure from Cowes on Saturday 19 July turned into a brutal overnight offshore challenge. As dawn broke on Sunday, every team returned soaked and shattered, having battled through 25 knots of breeze, a messy cross-channel sea state, and a screeching final reach to the finish. It was a reminder—if any was needed—that this is offshore yacht racing at the sharp end.
In AC1, the Channel Race saw Giovanni Lombardi Stronati’s Django WR51 win on corrected time, beating Karl Kwok’s Beau Geste by under six minutes, with Niklas Zennström’s Rán third. For AC2, James Murray’s Callisto—carrying Kiwi hopes—delivered an emphatic win. Despite a gruelling overnight sprint, the crew, led by Mike Sanderson and Ian Moore, managed the shifts masterfully and held off both Jolt 6 and Beau Ideal for class honours.
Channel Race delivers a classic: Kiwis show impressive form as Admiral’s Cup sets its tone
With the fleet drying out and recharging over Monday’s lay day, attention shifted from endurance to execution as the inshore phase of the Admiral’s Cup began on Tuesday 22 July. It was a dramatic transition—from brawn to brains—with tight, technical courses inside the Solent and pressure on every manoeuvre.
Tuesday morning brought 16 knots of shifty breeze—classic Solent conditions—and two short-course races that would reward finesse and boat-on-boat tactics.
Callisto does it again, and again!
First inshore race
In the morning, the wind built to 16 knots. Boats faced short courses and relentless pressure. Timing mattered. So did teamwork.
In AC1, Black Pearl rebounded from a tough Channel Race. The crew nailed their start and stayed focused. They won by just six seconds on corrected time. Jolt 3 pushed them hard. Django WR51 secured third place.
Abby Ehler, on mid-bow for Black Pearl, praised the team’s attitude:
“There’s a lot of laughter, a lot of trust, and we know how to regroup and go again.”
Meanwhile, in AC2, Callisto launched off the pin. They led every leg and took another dominant win. Beau Ideal chased hard but could not close the gap. Baraka GP slipped into third—just one second ahead of AMP-lifi. Despite ripping a spinnaker, Jolt 6 clawed back to finish seventh.
Second inshore race
The second race added distance and intensity. Pressure increased. Wind gusts topped 20 knots. Mistakes became costly.
In AC1, Jolt 3 started clean and held their lane. They picked a shift early and made it stick. They gained downwind while others gybed early. As the breeze filled in, Zen and Django WR51 surged. Beau Geste also loomed large. But Jolt 3 held on. They won by 29 seconds over Zen. Django WR51 placed third once again.
Navigator Andy Green explained:
“We stayed committed to our side downwind, riding a pressure vein while others gybed away—we gained big there.”
In AC2, Beau Ideal and Callisto renewed their duel. Beau Ideal crossed the line first, blasting through spray. Yet after IRC correction, Callisto claimed another win—by 70 seconds. Back to Black edged Jolt 6 for third by just three seconds.
Series standings are within margins
After three races, the top teams remain close. Yacht Club de Monaco leads by a single point. Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club sits just behind. The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda are tied in third.
Top 5 teams after Race 3
- 🇲🇨 Yacht Club de Monaco — 27 pts
- 🇭🇰 Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club — 26 pts
- 🇳🇿 Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron — 34 pts
- 🇮🇹 Yacht Club Costa Smeralda — 34 pts
- 🇸🇪 Royal Swedish Yacht Club — 44 pts
Full-throttle focus ahead
The transition from offshore to inshore mode has shaken up the scoreboard and highlighted the versatility needed to win this regatta. From the offshore grit of Django and Callisto to the inshore polish of Jolt 3 and Black Pearl, there’s no single recipe for success. But the message from Tuesday’s action is clear: this fleet is deep, sharp, and utterly unforgiving.
Racing continues Wednesday 23 July with another round of inshore challenges. There’s plenty left in this Cup—and no room for error.
