The New Admiral's Cup 2025

[winchfodder]

So finally the offshore AC is back!

The RORC Admiral's Cup July 2025 will have two boat teams rather then the historic three. I guess to help in getting more countries entering.

Two classes (I presume teams have to have one of each). Class 1 is from 44ft (13.41m) up to 56ft (17.20m) and Class 2 36ft (11.00m) up to 44ft (13.40m). Thinking about the current crop of IRC maybe they could have chosen slightly lower starting brackets to make it more inclusive and less expensive.

Sadly no Cowes Week and no Channel Race. But should be great to see an inter country offshore racing series back on the water.

I presume the prize giving will be in Cherbourg unless there are plans to run the original Fastnet course to Plymouth (though I guess they would then run into trouble with the RWYC copyright)?

RORC Admiral's Cup 2025

Thursday 17 July Registration / Measurement
Friday 18 July Registration / Measurement
Saturday 19 July Inshore Races
Sunday 20 July Inshore Races
Monday 21 July Inshore Races
Tuesday 22 July Spare Day
Wednesday 23 July Short Offshore Race
Thursday 24 July Short Offshore Race / Admiral's Cup Dinner
Friday 25 July Lay Day
Saturday 26 July Rolex Fastnet Race
Friday 1 August Prizegiving

The Admiral's Cup Returns

www.rorc.org

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[DtM]

Now Bob Oatley is dead, have RPAYC agreed to give the trophy back to RORC?

 

[Matagi]

Also more here . A bit of a shame they did not go for three classes with the Cape 31 being the smallest of them.

 

[winchfodder]

Not clear if countries need both Class 1 and Class 2 in each team.

Also how the scoring might work. With only two boat teams and so a relatively small fleet, say 12 to 15 teams - 24 to 30 boats, then scoring should be overall, not by class.

Also if there are any windward leeward races, it just says inshore. Racing round the bouys in the Solent would reflect design choices.

If the event catches on then in true old Admiral's Cup fashion we could see owners commisioning boats to fit at the lower end of the rating scales.

Not sure how any nationality rules might apply. I guess it will just be the owner?

Altogether the RORC press information says very little about how it might work. Hopefully clarification sooner rather than later so owners can plan for 2025.

 

[Ricky Craven]

Keen to field a corinthian team from Canada. I expect the level of interest in this will be enormous--I wouldn't be surprised if they pivot to three boats per national team... its not too late; I don't get the impression that this is fully baked. Love that there is a reference to the J/125 as sweet spot for Class 2.

 

[Sidecar]

Also more here . A bit of a shame they did not go for three classes with the Cape 31 being the smallest of them.

Perhaps three classes would widen the rating band too much?

But why not 3 yacht teams, with at least one yacht in each rating band? Two yachts doesn’t really feel like a team….

 

[Roleur]

I'm hearing some support for a 3rd boat on the team being a double-handed boat.

We shall see.

 

[MPH]

They are missing the mark by not having the Cape 31s or an IRC DH boat being included in some way...

 

[Matagi]

They are missing the mark by not having the Cape 31s or an IRC DH boat being included in some way...

I think you can't have the Capes there at the same time as the big toys. This is where the pros normally play for pay, all Capes would be depopulated or only staffed with 2nd tier.

IRC DH is better option, but not really in the spirit of the old thing:
Imagine you have this new million dollar toy and your silver can suddenly depends on these two guys in their JPK ... the horror, the HORROR.

 

[winchfodder]

Would the Cape 31's pass scrutiny for the Fastnet

 

[MPH]

Would the Cape 31's pass scrutiny for the Fastnet

Good point, no!

 

[Matagi]

Would the Cape 31's pass scrutiny for the Fastnet

I think it has an offset companionway 😂😂😂

 

[Schakel]

A blast from the past:

Moby Dick III sailing in Cowes (Admiral's Cup 1977)
Here is the only Dutch Yacht that ever won it. Innovision 7 in 1999.(Now under spanish flag)

 

[LazarusProject]

If the event catches on then in true old Admiral's Cup fashion we could see owners commisioning boats to fit at the lower end of the rating scales.

Amazingly Ino Noir does just that... what a coincidence!

 

[winchfodder]

So the RORC have announced that they will stay with two boat teams rather than the previous three boats, presumably to maximise entry.

Also the one boat in each class seems a bit limiting.
And no nationality rules, so I am not sure how that works, not even the owner or where the boat is registered!

3. ELIGIBILITY & ENTRY
a. Teams of two boats may enter representing a club or country.
b. There will be no limitation on professional crew or crew nationality.
c. There will be two classes with teams having one boat in each class.
d. The classes are defined in the table below;
IRC CLASS Min. TCC Max. TCC Min. LH (m) Max. LH (m)
Admiral’s Cup 1 1.335 1.464 13.41 17.20
Admiral’s Cup 2 1.176 1.276 11.00 13.40

 

[dogwatch]

And no nationality rules, so I am not sure how that works, not even the owner or where the boat is registered!

3. ELIGIBILITY & ENTRY
a. Teams of two boats may enter representing a club or country.

Then the team might be representing a club rather than a country.

It's all about getting entries and rebooting the event, which is fair enough.

 

[winchfodder]

"Then the team might be representing a club rather than a country."

I missed that! So the Admiral's Cup could be won by a club, not a country.

I can see several Britsh club teams entering. Certainly the Royal Western in Plymouth will want one.

 

[Jethrow]

"Then the team might be representing a club rather than a country."

I missed that! So the Admiral's Cup could be won by a club, not a country.

I can see several Britsh club teams entering. Certainly the Royal Western in Plymouth will want one.

The last Amiral's Cup was won by a club, the RPAYC in Sydney Australia! and even though we don't have possession of the actual cup anymore there's talk of a team going over to defend...

 

[Rawhide]

So the class limits basically dictate a TP52 derivative and Fast 40+.

 

[dogwatch]

So the class limits basically dictate a TP52 derivative and Fast 40+.

Strangely enough, the Carkeek 45 just makes the cut for class 1. Now who owns one?