The long anticipated 2025 edition of the Admiral’s Cup starts today in Cowes with the 30-yacht fleet taking part in the up to 160-nautical mile RORC Channel Race. It’s the first Admiral’s Cup in 22 years and there are plenty of competitors from that edition in key roles in teams this time around.
Amongst them is British yachtsman Adrian Stead who is racing for the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron aboard the successful Botin 52 Caro, which is paired for the Admiral’s Cup with the GP42 Callisto. As well as Stead – a past Olympian and multiple world champion – the Kiwi lineup includes big names like Mike Sanderson and Dean Barker.
As Stead explained to me, putting together an Admiral’s Cup team is not just about finding two competitive boats that fit the two class rating bands.
“I think it’s not just that,” he said. “It’s about finding two owners that are aligned to doing what’s required to take on the Admiral’s Cup. With the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron team we've been very lucky to have James [Murray, owner of Callisto] and Max Klink [owner of Caro].”
