The long-awaited return of the Admiral’s Cup comes this Saturday, 18th July, as some of the world’s best offshore sailors take to the waters of the Solent for what is being hailed as the biggest offshore competition in decades.
Representing the Royal Irish Yacht Club are two exceptional offshore racing yachts: Ron O’Hanley’s Cookson 50 Privateer and Tom Kneen’s JPK 1180 Sunrise IV. Together, they make for a strong Irish challenge in this historic team event.
The Admiral's Cup is an international regatta that was once known as the "unofficial world championship of offshore racing". The Cup features two-boats per team representing some of worlds best yacht clubs. The event format consists of three days of inshore racing, one short offshore race only one night long and the coveted Rolex Fastnet race.
Ron O’Hanley’s Privateer, is a high-performance Cookson 50 and one of the most experienced boats in the fleet. The afterguard is led by Ian Walker, a double Olympic silver medallist and Volvo Ocean Race winning skipper. Walker also holds the monohull record for the Rolex Fastnet Race with Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing.
Privateer has a very experienced offshore team including maxi legend Juggy Clougher who has also won the Whitbread’ on EF Language, raced on Pirates of the Caribbean in the Volvo Ocean Race and tasted victory on Rambler 100, Rambler 88, Comanche and Leopard 3, just to name a few.
They are also joined by pro navigator Jesse Fielding and the Royal Irish Yacht Club’s Lauren Donaghy, Cliodnha Connelly and James Carroll.
The second of this two boat team is Tom Kneen’s Sunrise IV, a cutting-edge JPK 1180 built on the lessons from the team’s 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race victory. Kneen is reunited with key crewmates including navigator Tom Cheney, as well as seasoned Irish offshore racers, Maurice ‘Prof’ O’Connell and RYA Northern Ireland’s Performance Director Andrew Baker, with further strategic depth provided by Eddie Warden Owen, a 1981 Admiral’s Cup winner.
“We’re now getting very close to the start of racing, and while there’s still plenty of work to be done both ashore and afloat, it will be a welcome relief for everyone to finally get underway on Saturday. The ratio of preparation to actual sailing has felt like ten to one, which shows just how much effort goes in behind the scenes.
At this level of competitIon, attention to detail is critical — everyone is working to ensure that absolutely nothing is left to chance once we’re at sea. It’s a great honour for Ireland to be represented at this level, and it promises to be a highly competitive and memorable two weeks of racing.”
— Michael Boyd, Chef d’Équipe, Royal Irish Yacht Club Admiral’s Cup Team
Irish teams have a rich history competing in the Admiral's Cup dating back 13 editions since 1965. Although an Irish team has never won the golden trophy, Ireland came very close in 1979. Leading the regatta going into the tragic Fastnet Race, two of the Irish boats broke their rudders, ending their challenge for victory.
Before racing can begin on Saturday boats must be measured with all their sails and checked to make sure they meet all of the offshore sailing safety regulations. Once complete boats will be ready to get this competition underway. For updates throughout racing keep your eyes on Irish Sailing and Admirals Cup Channels.