Three races on the final day of inshore competition at the 2025 Admiral's Cup brought high drama and decisive moments, completing a six-race series that has left the overall standings extraordinarily tight heading into the offshore leg.
With the discard now applied and Channel Race scores folded in, the AC1 class could scarcely be closer. Giovanni Lombardi Stronati's Django WR51 (YCCS) leads by a single point from Peter Harrison's Jolt 3 (YCM) and Karl Kwok's Beau Geste (RHKYC). AC2 is equally compelling, with James Murray's Callisto (RNZYS) and Karl Kwok's Beau Ideal (RHKYC) locked level at the top of the class, and Pierre Casiraghi's Jolt 6 (YCM) sitting third. At the team level, the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club has moved into pole position for the Admiral's Cup overall, with Yacht Club de Monaco second and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda third after seven races.
Full results.
Racing took place across the Central and Eastern Solent, where a light northerly breeze greeted competitors at the start of the day but proved anything but cooperative. A major wind shift struck just after the first race got underway, prompting the Race Committee to abandon it. A lengthy wait followed while the fleet sat on the water for conditions to settle. When the breeze finally stabilised, three races were completed to round out the scheduled programme.
Django JPK takes two podium places today © Rick Tomlinson/RORC
In AC2, the committee boat end of the line drew the majority of the fleet, with Nola a notable exception, starting further along the line. Albator found itself squeezed for room and was forced to tack away, while Ginkgo (BYC), X-Day (RVG), and Django JPK were all called over early and had to restart. Django JPK made the most of its second attempt by sailing hard to the right and picking up a favourable shift, though the leaders kept the gains to a minimum by covering effectively. As the wind filled in, Jolt 6 led around the top mark and immediately pulled clear downwind, reaching 14 knots to open a commanding gap over AMP-lifi and Callisto. The top three remained unchanged through the bottom gate. Callisto split tacks on the final beat in a bid to close the gap, but Jolt 6 held its composure to take the win. Callisto came home second, with AMP-lifi third.
In AC1, Django WR51 nailed the pin end of the line at the start, with Zen and Beau Geste close company, though Beau Geste appeared to have crossed early and was required to restart. The opening beat produced tight racing, with the right side of the course paying dividends for Black Pearl, Final Final, and Privateer, while Elida also caught the eye with a solid performance. Django WR51 rounded the top mark fractionally ahead of Jolt 3 and Black Pearl, the latter gybing early on the run as Django WR51 held port tack. That call proved decisive. Rán played a key tactical role in pinning back both Jolt 3 and Beau Geste, and Django WR51 extended her advantage on the way to a hard-fought win. Black Pearl and Beau Geste completed the podium.
Django WR51 tactician Vasco Vascotto spoke after racing: "Racing in the Admiral's Cup is something truly special. This event has such a deep history and being part of it again, 26 years after my last time is a real privilege. I dreamed of this as a young sailor and now I've been given a second chance.
"You can feel something important has returned. The inshore racing was tough, especially with strong currents pushing at both ends of the line, but we managed it well and nailed a great start in the final race. This is only day 10 for us with this new boat and already we see its potential. We're learning fast and improving every day.
"One key moment today was knowing we had to do something special to take the lead in our class and we delivered; keeping our emotions in check and performing as a team. I'm proud of every single crew member. Now we look forward to the Rolex Fastnet Race. Sail safe, sail fast and see you in Cherbourg."
The concluding race of the Admiral's Cup will be the centenary edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race, starting on Saturday 26 July from the Royal Yacht Squadron Line.
