Under the watchful gaze of yachting greats and a crowd of journalists packed into the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Cowes clubhouse, the 2025 Admiral’s Cup press conference was as much a celebration of legacy as it was a preview of the intense contest ahead. With twelve top-tier teams from across the globe assembled, the message was clear: the Admiral’s Cup is back, and it means business.
Amid the international buzz, our focus turns to three teams — New Zealand, Australia, and Hong Kong — whose campaigns offer a compelling lens through which to view the return of this storied event.
New Zealand: rekindling the legacy
Mike Sanderson, helming Callisto for the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, struck a chord of reverence that echoed throughout the room. “The Admiral’s Cup holds a legendary place in New Zealand sailing — right up there with the Olympics, the America’s Cup, and the Whitbread,” he said. Sanderson’s reflections painted a picture of the Cup as a formative force in Kiwi sailing culture. In the 1980s, the level of domestic competition to qualify alone made the event mythic.
But this isn’t just about nostalgia. New Zealand arrives with two strong teams, fully aware of the tactical demands and the need for discipline. “You’re not just sailing for yourself,” said Sanderson. “You’re sailing for your country, your team. One mistake can affect the whole squad.” Along with Caro, both modern, high-performance yachts and two decades of distance from their last Cup win, New Zealand appears focused, prepared, and quietly confident.
Australia: rebuilding for a modern era
For Australia, defending the title they last won in 2003 comes with its own weight. But as Gordon Maguire explained on behalf of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, returning isn’t simply about victory — it’s about resilience. Their boat, Back to Black, underwent a complete transformation in the final weeks before the event, converting an inshore thoroughbred into an offshore-ready hybrid. “It’s been an enormous effort,” said Maguire, noting the technical challenge of creating a vessel capable of handling both Solent windward-leewards and offshore epics like the Fastnet.
Australia’s commitment is underscored by the personal investment from owners, designers, and crew. There’s also national pride: “There’s a real buzz back home. People remember staying up late to follow the Admiral’s Cup results in newspapers, radio reports,” said Maguire. “And now it’s back, people are genuinely excited.”
Hong Kong: a century in the making
Few stories matched the emotional arc of Gavin Brady’s remarks on behalf of the well-known Beau Geste and the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. “This marks the 100th event Karl Kwok and I have raced together,” he said, underscoring the campaign’s deep personal resonance. Their journey with the Admiral’s Cup began decades ago, and to return for this centenary edition felt like closing a meaningful loop.
More than sentiment, the Hong Kong team brings strategic innovation. In preparation, they tested equipment and crew in Scandinavia and ultimately commissioned Beau Ideal, a new 40-footer, designed not just for the Admiral’s Cup, but for a long-term place in the global offshore scene. “We’re not just here to compete,” Brady declared. “We’re here to fly the flag for Hong Kong sailing.” It’s a bold, well-backed campaign that balances emotional investment with hard technical preparation.
Team themes: legacy, logistics, and the long game
What emerged clearly across all the interviews was a return to team-first sailing. Unlike other Grand Prix events where the focus is on individual boat performance, the Admiral’s Cup compels cohesion. “It’s a true team championship,” said Sanderson, echoing sentiments from Abby Ehler (USA) and Ian Walker (Ireland). Here, two boats sink or swim together. You can’t win the Admiral’s Cup by winning every race — but you can lose it with one mistake.
Technical preparation was another unifying theme. Whether it was Australia modifying their hull, Italy racing a brand-new Wally straight out of the box, or Hong Kong building from scratch, the logistics behind the Cup campaigns are nearly as demanding as the sailing itself.
An inclusive but elite playing field
While New Zealand, Australia, and Hong Kong bring heavyweight credentials, the wider fleet promises surprises. Youth-powered teams from the Netherlands and Germany, a passionate return from Monaco, and a sharp-looking Italian squad all bring real firepower. And with pros like Vasco Vascotto, Ian Walker, and Pierre Casiraghi calling tactics, nobody’s coasting.
Beau Geste’s Gavin Brady summed it up neatly “The competition is fierce, and yes, it’s going to get feisty. But that’s what makes the Admiral’s Cup so unique. Everyone’s here for the same reason: to test themselves against the very best.”
Anyone wishing a team luck is best to remember that with teams of this calibre, it won’t just be luck that decides the outcome.
As the boats take to the Solent, expect national pride, strategic acumen, and sheer offshore grit to define this regatta. For the anyone competing, it’s not just about winning — it’s about belonging at the top of the offshore sailing world again.
