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James Neville aboard Ino Veritas (RORC)
Admiral's Cup

Seven weeks after buying Ino Veritas, Neville wins Sardinia Cup for RORC

2 min read
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The Royal Ocean Racing Club has won the 2026 Range Rover Sardinia Cup, a result that sharpens anticipation for the Admiral's Cup now less than 13 months away.

"Racing Jolt 3 and Django was a real benchmark. We were nip and tuck with Jolt 3 all week. Dean Barker has been crucial, bringing discipline and focus. His tactics were phenomenal and the crew have stepped up brilliantly."
"Racing Jolt 3 and Django was a real benchmark. We were nip and tuck with Jolt 3 all week. Dean Barker has been crucial, bringing discipline and focus. His tactics were phenomenal and the crew have stepped up brilliantly." | Photo: RORC

Organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda at Porto Cervo from 31 May to 7 June, the seven-race series mixed offshore, coastal and windward-leeward racing in spectacular conditions. Past RORC Commodore James Neville on Ino Veritas took the IRC 1 Class, and RORC member Per Roman's Garm finished third in IRC 2. Their combined scores gave the RORC team the trophy ahead of the host club. The RORC Gold team was third overall, with Niklas Zennstrom's Rán winning IRC 2 and Peter Harrison's Jolt 3 fourth in IRC 1.

Ino Veritas crew: James Neville, Dean Barker, Jack Trigger, Mike Henning, Tom Dawson, Pete Redmond, Gabri Olivo, Pete Cumming, Rob Bunce, Mike Waugh, Alastair Hunter, Mark Devereux, Conor Galligan, Rebecca Gmur, George Bridge.
Ino Veritas crew: James Neville, Dean Barker, Jack Trigger, Mike Henning, Tom Dawson, Pete Redmond, Gabri Olivo, Pete Cumming, Rob Bunce, Mike Waugh, Alastair Hunter, Mark Devereux, Conor Galligan, Rebecca Gmur, George Bridge. | Photo: RORC

Neville had only taken ownership of Ino Veritas seven weeks before the regatta. "We only got Ino Veritas seven weeks ago, so to win the Sardinia Cup with the RORC team is very special," he said. The boat arrived from Australia set up purely for inshore racing and needed substantial work before it was fit for offshore conditions.

Per Roman aboard Garm (RORC)
Per Roman aboard Garm (RORC) | Photo: RORC

"We changed the boom, put offshore mains on, worked on the mast and set the boat up for a full range of conditions," Neville said. "That was important because the Admiral's Cup is not just about having a fast boat. It is the whole package. The boat, the sails, the crew, the process, the reliability and the preparation." He sees a step-change coming: "What is clear to me is that the standard for the next Admiral's Cup is going to take a decent step on from 2025. For us, the Admiral's Cup and the Rolex Fastnet Race are the main aim. That is why I bought this boat."

"Consistency was key for us. We knew we faced very strong competition. The offshore race suited Garm well as she's a little sturdier. We're still learning the boat and reckon there's a few more per cent of performance to find before 2027."
"Consistency was key for us. We knew we faced very strong competition. The offshore race suited Garm well as she's a little sturdier. We're still learning the boat and reckon there's a few more per cent of performance to find before 2027." | Photo: RORC

Roman was just as focused on the longer goal. "For me, the whole project is about the Admiral's Cup. Everything we are doing now is training to get better for that. It feels like a road to the 'Cup. This was the first important step, and what I really learned is that the team we have on Garm is extraordinary."

Garm crew: Per Roman, Gustavo Martinez, Johan Barne, Taavi Valter, Jesper Stalheim, Carlos Ruigomez, Oliver Hernandez P, Gonzalo Morales, Dominique Knuppel, Finian Morris, Francisco Palacios.
Garm crew: Per Roman, Gustavo Martinez, Johan Barne, Taavi Valter, Jesper Stalheim, Carlos Ruigomez, Oliver Hernandez P, Gonzalo Morales, Dominique Knuppel, Finian Morris, Francisco Palacios. | Photo: RORC

The two afterguards met each morning to share thinking on wind, strategy and course, and Roman credited that routine as a real advantage. "There is so much competence across the two teams, and it made one plus one equal three."

YCCS Commodore Andrea Recordati congratulated the RORC and noted that club member Giovanni Lombardi Stronati's Django had finished second and would carry the YCCS burgee into the Admiral's Cup. "We look forward to welcoming you back in 2028," he added.

Ino Veritas heads next to the Cowes Dinard St Malo Race, starting 3 July. Garm will contest the Copa del Rey in Mallorca before a winter refit in Valencia and an early 2027 move to the UK for Admiral's Cup preparations.

The 25th edition of the Admiral's Cup runs 13 to 28 July 2027, with online entry opening on 1 July 2026.

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