After a 23-year absence, the legendary Admiral’s Cup returned in full force this summer — and with it, a new champion. In a historic first appearance, Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) clinched victory, edging out Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, who finished second and third respectively.
Revived as part of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s centenary, the 2025 Admiral’s Cup introduced a modern two-boat team format. Each team fielded one Class 1 yacht and one Class 2 yacht, all IRC-rated, and tested over a combination of inshore and offshore races around the notoriously challenging British coastline.
“There’s no other race that has this format – inshore and offshore combined – which makes it so complex and so much fun,” said Pierre Casiraghi, YCM Vice-President and skipper of Class 2 yacht Jolt 6.
He was joined by Peter Harrison, CEO of Richard Mille EMEA, who helmed Class 1 entry Jolt 3. Together, the pair led a tight-knit but formidable YCM campaign that outpaced fleets helmed by seasoned professional sailors — many with America’s Cup credentials.
The event began with a grueling 160-nautical-mile Channel Race in 25-knot winds and choppy seas. That was followed by three days of inshore racing before culminating in the storied Rolex Fastnet Race. Spanning 695 nautical miles from Cowes to Cherbourg via Fastnet Rock, this final offshore test proved decisive.
“The Fastnet has the power to upend the standings,” said Harrison. “Fatigue, tactics, weather — everything is amplified.”
For YCM, precision teamwork, clean sail changes, and bold strategy carried the day. When corrected times were finalized in Cherbourg, the Monaco-based team had secured a dramatic and well-earned win.
This marks a significant moment for YCM, a club more frequently associated with innovation-focused events like the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge. Their 2025 Admiral’s Cup triumph reflects a return to classic offshore racing — and a renewed presence on the global sailing stage.
With elite teams, tactical complexity, and intense international rivalry, the reborn Admiral’s Cup feels vital once again — a modern regatta with an old soul, and a championship well worth the wait.
