Admiral’s Cup Contenders at Star-Studded Press Conference

Excitement is building in Cowes ahead of the 2025 Admiral’s Cup. On Friday 18th July, the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) hosted an official press conference at its Cowes Clubhouse.

Olympic gold medallist and broadcaster Shirley Robertson led the session, with a warm welcome from RORC Commodore Deb Fish.

“Thank you to the members of the press for attending today and thank you to the sailors for joining us,” said RORC Commodore Deb Fish. “The Club is very excited to be hosting this event in our special centenary year. It's the real icing on the cake; it's going to be a fantastic regatta. I wish you all the very best of luck and fair winds and look forward to presenting one of you with the Admiral’s Cup in a couple of weeks’ time.”

The spotlight was on 12 world-class sailors, each representing top international teams. Their insights and stories offered a compelling glimpse into the fierce competition to come and the renewed prestige of the Admiral’s Cup.

Pierre Casiraghi – Jolt 6 / Yacht Club de Monaco

“We’ve taken the Admiral’s Cup very seriously - it’s a prestigious event with a rich history, and we’ve done everything possible to prepare. We’ve spent a lot of time on the water as a team to try to arrive as ready as we can. Racing in the Solent is incredibly complex; the current is strong and unpredictable, and for someone not used to it, it almost feels like the marks are moving. Luckily we have local knowledge onboard with Ben Saxton, which is a huge help.

“Representing Monaco means a great deal to me. We’re a small country with few sports where we can stand out, so when we do well, it resonates back home. Just recently, I was in the old town and some elderly residents told me how proud they were of our performance - they’re following the race closely. That kind of support is really motivating. We know the Admiral’s Cup will be long and challenging, so we’re taking it one day at a time, staying focused and consistent. Now it’s time to put everything together and deliver.”

Mike Sanderson – Callisto / Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron

“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. Growing up, it was one of the pinnacles. In the early 1980s we had 30 boats trialling in Auckland just to qualify. That gives you a sense of how important this event was, and still is, back home. So it’s a huge privilege to be here representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron alongside another great Kiwi team.

“This event is different - it demands a completely different mindset. You’re not just sailing for yourself; you’re sailing for your country, your team. One mistake can affect the whole squad. We learned that in 1999 when we won the Cup with the Dutch team, despite never winning a race, that you need consistency, smart decisions and to keep your nose clean in the protest room.

“What makes it special is the camaraderie; barbecues, sharing gear, solving problems together. There’s a mystique to the Admiral’s Cup that makes it more than just a regatta - it’s a true team championship. And racing these high-performance 42-footers adds a fresh layer of challenge and excitement. We’re in for something very special.”

Abby Ehler – Black Pearl / New York Yacht Club, USA

“It’s fantastic to be here representing the New York Yacht Club at such a prestigious and historic event. What stands out most for me is the sheer calibre of the competition. Just looking around at the lineup of teams and sailors - it’s truly world-class. That level of talent brings out the best in all of us, and it’s incredibly exciting to see such a healthy, vibrant format making a comeback.

“What makes the Admiral’s Cup so unique is the team element. In most Grand Prix racing, you’re focused solely on your own boat’s result. But here, you’re not just racing for yourself, you’re racing for your team, your club, and your country. That adds an extra layer of pride and pressure, and it’s something really special that we don’t see often enough in this sport.

“The Admiral’s Cup has deep roots, going back to 1957 and the original UK vs USA rivalry. For the New York Yacht Club it’s a huge honour to be part of that legacy. We’re proud to be here, aware of the history behind us and excited to play our part in what promises to be an incredible regatta.”

Vasco Vascotto – Django WR51 / Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Italy

“First of all, we hope this Wally is a rocket - that’s the plan! But the reality is, it’s a brand-new boat and we’ve thrown it straight into the deep end by bringing it to the Admiral’s Cup. It was designed to be a performance cruiser but we’ve taken on the challenge and are doing everything we can to be competitive. I’ve been checking the forecast since January for conditions in late July. Every time I see strong wind and waves, I just delete it and look again!

“This event is about more than just racing, it’s about honouring this Cup. The Cup is the true star and we’re here as the supporting cast to put on the best show possible, because this trophy deserves it.

“I’m incredibly grateful to Giovanni Lombardi for giving us this opportunity. With Michele Ivaldi and Guillermo Parada managing the teams, and legends like Juan Vila navigating, we’ve assembled an incredible crew. I feel so lucky to be back - my first Admiral’s Cup was in 1999, and to return is a privilege. This is a rare event that demands months of preparation and logistics - you don’t find this level of challenge and prestige anywhere else.”

Ian Walker – Privateer / Royal Irish Yacht Club

“I remember the Admiral’s Cup vividly from my youth - watching the results update live at the finish line in Cowes during the Channel Race and thinking, one day, I want to be part of that. I’ve raced in the last three editions, though that was over 20 years ago, so it’s incredibly special to return.

“This event isn’t just important for sailors, it’s vital for the marine industry. From yacht designers to sailmakers, riggers to clothing brands, the Admiral’s Cup is a showcase of innovation and talent. It’s also a huge boost for Cowes. Just pop into the sandwich shop or pub - everyone’s talking about it. We have young Irish crew but I’ve loved showing our mostly American crew around; they’re amazed by the currents, sandbanks, ferries - it reminds me how unique and brilliant this place is.

“The format is challenging: inshore and offshore, tides, tactics, and pressure. I’m praying for wind - real offshore conditions. But consistency is key. You can’t win the Admiral’s Cup if you don’t finish the Fastnet. It’s never over until you cross that final line in Cherbourg. One mishap, and it can all turn. That’s what makes it so compelling.”

Gerd-Jan Poortman – ROST Van Uden / Dutch Offshore Sailing Team

“We’re proud to be here with a Dutch youth team - a group of top sailing talent selected every three years and trained for this kind of moment. Normally, our projects finish with a European or World Championship, but this time, it’s the Admiral’s Cup. We’re a bit of an outsider in a field of pros, but our goal is to race as professionally as possible and show what these young sailors can do. The average age on board is just 23, and though we’re on a limited budget, we’re well-prepared, well-drilled, and here to compete.

For me, it’s a full-circle moment. I was once the young guy racing the Admiral’s Cup in the Sydney 40, now I’m skippering and coaching this next generation. This is their launchpad, and whatever they do next is up to them.

We’re aiming to surprise a few teams. We’ve got focus, we’ve got the gear we need, and we’ve got the belief. As a famous pirate once said, ‘Not all treasures are silver and gold.’ This project is about opportunity, pride, and giving our sailors the best shot at a professional future.”

Chris Frost – AMP-lifi / RORC White

“We’ve teamed up with Final Final, the PAC 52 formerly known as Warrior One. It’s a proven offshore machine - RORC Transatlantic winner and second in the last Fastnet. My boat, Girls on Film, was originally built in 2017 for Peter Morton and was nearly unbeaten in her early years. She went to Japan and we brought her back last year. The tools are there, we just have to prove ourselves.

“This is definitely a step up for me. I grew up sailing on the Solent in the ’80s, reading Yachts & Yachting every other Thursday, dreaming about the Admiral’s Cup. When the event was revived, we jumped at the chance to be part of it. That’s the magic of our sport - you can end up racing against your heroes.

“It’s a bit nerve-wracking, no question. Seeing 30 boats out in the Solent again - TP52s, 42-footers, JPKs - it’s incredible. Maybe I’ve taken on more than I expected, but we’re giving it everything. We’re proud to represent RORC White and we’re here to do our very best. This is the Admiral’s Cup - it doesn’t get much bigger than that.”

Eric de Turckheim – Teasing Machine / Yacht Club de France

“The Admiral’s Cup was a dream for me as a young sailor. In the 1970s, sailing offshore here in my early 20s, it was the event. I vividly remember the energy in Cowes—the camaraderie, the international colour - teams like the Brazilians dancing through the streets. I dreamed of one day racing in it myself.

“As RORC’s former Head of Programme and Race, reviving the Admiral’s Cup was a priority for several reasons. Offshore racing was thriving; look at the growth of the Fastnet Race, but we needed something to bring top international teams back to Cowes, and to reconnect with inshore racing, which is a vital part of our sport. The Admiral’s Cup was the obvious answer.

“We relaunched the event with a more accessible format - two boats per team, across professional 40 and 50-foot classes - to lower the barrier to entry. The response has exceeded expectations, with teams building boats specifically for this event, which is extraordinary. It speaks to the enduring prestige of the Admiral’s Cup.

“I also hope we can one day relaunch the Commodores’ Cup, a vital platform for Corinthian sailors. But for now, the Admiral’s Cup is back and it’s making exactly the kind of impact we hoped for.”

Moriz ‘Momo’ Forster – Red Bandit / Bayerischer Yacht Club, Germany

“There’s a long and proud tradition of German boats taking part in the Admiral’s Cup, and Germany has a strong offshore sailing scene. For us, this event represents the absolute pinnacle - it’s where the world’s best teams come to compete. There’s a huge motivation for young teams like ours to step up, find partners, and prove that we belong on this stage.

“Of course, the conditions here are a world away from our Bavarian lake. Getting used to strong currents and tides is a steep learning curve, and preparing a boat for inshore, coastal, and offshore racing all at once is a serious challenge. But that’s exactly why we’re here.

“We’re proud to represent a youth team competing at a professional level, and we’re here to bring the fight to the seasoned pros. Our aim is to show that with the right preparation and mindset, young sailors can take on key roles and make the boat perform. We know we’ll learn a lot, but we’re also here to challenge, to push, and hopefully surprise a few people along the way.”

Per Roman – GARM / RORC Red

“The Admiral’s Cup is the pinnacle of offshore sailing and it’s incredibly special for us to be part of its return. It’s a privilege to race under the RORC Red banner and we feel a deep responsibility to represent the Club with pride. We’ve built a great team on Garm -a mix of Swedish and Spanish sailors, many of whom I’ve raced with for years. Offshore racing is one of the few sports where age and experience can be a real advantage, and I think our team reflects that blend of endurance, tactical smarts, and calm under pressure.

“The competition is fierce and the boats in our class are incredibly well-prepared. It’s going to come down to execution, resilience and cohesion over the course of the event. I love the mix of inshore and offshore racing in the Admiral’s Cup. It really does reward the best all-round sailors and teams. For us, it’s about sailing clean, staying smart, and leaving nothing on the table. We’re proud to be here, proud to wear the RORC Red, and ready for the challenge.”

Gordon Maguire – Back to Black / Cruising Yacht Club of Australia

“The magic of the Admiral’s Cup is that it demands everything - inshore finesse, offshore endurance, tactical precision, and resilience. For years, the sport has leaned toward boats optimised for one or the other. But here, you need a hybrid boat - something that can do it all. That’s a massive technical and logistical challenge, especially after a 22-year hiatus.

“Back to Black wasn’t offshore-ready, so for the past six weeks we’ve had half the team flat-out transforming the boat - modifying systems, waterproofing, making her fit for purpose. It’s been an enormous effort from Sean Langman and the whole crew. Whether we got it right? Ask me in 24 hours.

“In Australia, there’s a real buzz. People remember staying up late to follow the Admiral’s Cup results in newspapers, radio reports, etc and there was a sense of national pride. And now it’s back, people are genuinely excited. For us, representing the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and taking part in something so rich in history is incredibly special.

“This regatta’s not about winning every race. It’s about being consistently strong in every condition - windward-leeward, offshore, upwind, downwind. You’ve got to survive, adapt, and perform, because in the Admiral’s Cup, you’re racing for your team, your boat, and your country.”

Gavin Brady – Beau Geste / Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club

“The Admiral’s Cup is iconic for many reasons, but for Karl Kwok first and foremost, and also for me, it’s deeply personal - this marks the 100th event we’ve raced together. Fittingly, it’s also the event where our journey began, so to return for such a historic edition feels incredibly special.

“We started planning the moment the race was announced. The challenge was real - how to get an inshore boat around a Fastnet course. That sent us on a journey through Scandinavia and Northern Europe, testing gear and refining our setup. Ultimately, we decided to build a new 40-footer, not just for the Admiral’s Cup, but because we believe these boats have a strong future in the sport.

“Karl trusted me to put this campaign together, and we’re here not just to compete, but to fly the flag proudly for the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. Hong Kong has a vibrant sailing scene - yachts racing right in the heart of the city - and we’re proud to showcase that spirit on the world stage.

“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.”

Photos: Rick & James Tomlinson - https://www.rick-tomlinson.com/

For more information about the Admiral’s Cup: www.admiralscup.rorc.org