Monaco Makes History in Return of the Admiral’s Cup

After more than 20 years, the Admiral’s Cup is back—and it returned in noteworthy fashion. Organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club as part of its centenary celebrations and timed alongside the 100th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race, the 2025 Admiral’s Cup reemerged with prestige, power, and fierce international competition.

Fifteen two-boat teams representing yacht clubs from around the globe arrived ready to race in this iconic event. Their arsenal? Elite IRC-rated offshore vessels. Their crews? A compelling mix of Olympians, America’s Cup veterans, Corinthian sailors, and next-gen talent—each one looking to make history and bring home a trophy long regarded as one of the sport’s most prestigious.

At the heart of the drama was a first-time entry from the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM), led by Vice President Pierre Casiraghi and club member Peter Harrison. Despite never having competed in the Admiral’s Cup before, YCM seized victory in its debut campaign—an outcome as improbable as it was emotional.

“Honestly, I still can’t quite believe what we’ve achieved,” said Casiraghi. “We had to fight right to the end… It was relentless. What made this special was the team. We trusted each other and everyone gave everything.”

The race format included a Channel Race, six inshore contests in the Solent, and culminated in the Rolex Fastnet Race. The final points were so tight that every second and every mile mattered. In the end, YCM edged out Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) by a hairbreadth margin, while Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) narrowly secured third over Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS).

Harrison, who skippered TP52 Jolt 3, called it “the biggest result in [his] sailing career,” praising the crew chemistry and shared vision: “Pierre and I believed in this from the beginning… I hope it sparks even more momentum behind YCM’s programs.”

The Admiral’s Cup, originally launched in 1957, has long been synonymous with top-tier offshore racing. In 2025, it lived up to that legacy—and perhaps even expanded it. Notable performances included Karl Kwok’s Beau Geste team for RHKYC, which battled neck and neck with Jolt 3 and RNZYS’s Caro in a relentless offshore duel, finishing just shy of victory. “You’re not just racing competitors,” said Gavin Brady, Beau Geste’s helm, “you’re racing Mother Nature.”

Youth also took the spotlight. The young crew aboard ROST Van Uden (Royal Maas YC) turned heads with a flawless showing. Skipper Gerd-Jan Poortman beamed with pride: “Most of them are in their 20s… They didn’t just race—we raced flawlessly.”

From the tactically grueling inshore legs to the long-haul grind of the Fastnet Race, the 2025 edition offered high drama and fierce camaraderie. “It’s emotional, rare and unforgettable,” said Vasco Vascotto of YCCS. “You don’t get many chances like this—maybe two or three in your life if you’re lucky.”

Eric de Turckheim of France’s Yacht Club de France, a key figure in reviving the Admiral’s Cup, summed it up: “We weren’t the fastest on paper but we were tactical and resilient… To finish as top team for the Rolex Fastnet Race—that’s something I’m incredibly proud of.”

With applause still echoing from the final prizegiving in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, the Royal Ocean Racing Club confirmed the next Admiral’s Cup will kick off on July 17, 2027. Expectations will be sky-high—but after this key revival, the Cup’s future looks brighter than ever.

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