The Admiral's Cup, which has been absent for two decades, returns to Cowes in this month. A top-tier fleet of international teams, including America's Cup veteran, Olympic medallists, and offshore specialists, will compete for the coveted trophy.

From July 17 to August 1, 2025, the event will feature a series inshore and offshore races on the Solent culminating with the 100th anniversary Rolex Fastnet Race. The Admiral's Cup will be awarded to the team that has the highest combined score from all races.

Karl Kwok, of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, is in the lead with Beau Geste. The team includes Gavin Brady, who has competed six times for New Zealand at America's Cup, four-time Cup champion Simon Daubney and Britain's two-time Olympic medalist Nic Rogers.

The Black Pearl of New York Yacht Club, skippered Stefan Jentzsch from Germany, is a veteran British yacht Paul Standbridge who has been sailing for more than 15 Fastnets and five round-the world races. This Admiral's Cup will be his last after more than 5 Fastnets.

The Django WR51, representing the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, is accompanied by Vasco Vascotto. Vascotto has won more than 25 titles in world championships.

The Netherlands is sending a new wave - the Dutch Offshore Sailing Team’s ROST VanUden, skippered by Volvo Ocean Race veteran Gerd Jan Poortman. However, his crew of teenagers weren't even born when the Dutch won the Cup last in 1999.

Nicklas Zennstrom, the Royal Swedish Yacht Club’s Ran 8 skipper, is joined by Justin Slattery of Ireland, a Volvo double winner. Ran is the only modern team that has defended the Fastnet Challenge Cup on the same boat.

Daniel Baum represents the Hamburg Sailing Team on the only wooden yacht in the fleet, the Tison 48 Elida. James Gair, from Isle of Wight, is Elida’s secret weapon. He has won 14 Rolex Fastnet Races and knows the Solent like the back of his hand.

The Admiral's Cup, organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club is an offshore sailing team event in which yacht clubs compete to represent their country. The Royal Ocean Racing Club selects two boats for each team, one bigger and one smaller. They are chosen based on their performance and eligibility.

The clubs select the crews, which are often a mixture of professionals and veterans from offshore races and Olympic medalists. Teams race under the club's flag, even though sailors may be from around the world. Christian Radnedge is the editor.

(source: Reuters)