The Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) is poised to make history as it prepares to compete for the first time in the Admiral’s Cup, one of the world’s most prestigious sailing competitions. Often referred to as the “Unofficial World Cup of Offshore Racing”, the Admiral’s Cup is making its grand return in Cowes this summer after an absence of more than two decades.
Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), the event will take place between 17th July and 1st August in Cowes, the legendary seaport town on the UK’s Isle of Wight. Established in 1957, the competition attracts the world’s elite sailors for a rigorous series of inshore and offshore races, including the legendary Rolex Fastnet Race. The last edition was held in 2003.
The initiative to enter the Admiral’s Cup was led by Peter Harrison, a YCM member and owner of the Jolt boats set to compete. He had the enthusiastic backing of Pierre Casiraghi, Vice-President of the Club and the founder of Team Malizia.
“Peter is a great sailor with a great team. When he suggested that we take part in the Admiral’s Cup with the Jolt boats, I immediately accepted this incredible challenge,” says Casiraghi.
The Monegasque team will field two exceptional boats: the TP52 Jolt 3, with Harrison at the helm in the IRC Big Boat class, and the Carkeek 40 Jolt 6, skippered by Casiraghi.
“We have a solid training programme, high-performance boats and a determined team,” says Casiraghi. “Consistency will be key: two bad races, and everything becomes complicated. We’ll have to stay focused and approach each day as a new challenge.”
This ambitious endeavour aligns with the YCM’s outward-looking sporting strategy. Championed by Club President Prince Albert II, the YCM is seeking to broaden its horizons with the goal of promoting high-level sailing and inspiring younger generations.
For this significant challenge, the Monegasque crew will benefit from the expertise of renowned sailors such as Vendée Globe alumni Boris Herrmann and Will Harris, both from Team Malizia, as well as Cole Brauer, the first American woman to complete a solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the world in 130 days and the runner-up in the 2024 Golden Globe Solo Challenge.
Harrison, who is also the CEO of haute horology brand Richard Mille, is equally enthusiastic about the prospects of the YCM and its teams, saying, “The Yacht Club de Monaco is a major force in world sailing. Competing in the Admiral’s Cup offers a unique opportunity to showcase our expertise and passion.”
The Admiral’s Cup 2025 will feature more than 15 teams representing prestigious clubs such as the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and the New York Yacht Club, a three-time winner. Australia, represented by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, returns as the defending champion, having won the last edition in 2003.
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Photo source: Yacht Club de Monaco