Admiral's Cup: "The Cup is the star" - what the sailors say about the comeback

On the eve of the opening race of the 24th Admiral's Cup, well-known and up-and-coming sailors met in Cowes on the Isle of Wight to exchange ideas at the last pre-event press conference. It has been 22 years since the 23rd edition. Many attempts to revitalise the event have failed, but now a first-class field has been assembled. The anticipation of the revival in the British heartland of Cowes on the Isle of Wight is correspondingly exuberant.

The first race starts today, 19 July, with the Channel Race at 11.30 a.m. German time. The smaller boats in the Admiral's Cup Class AC 2 are challenged from 12 noon. Click here for tracking.

Even before the first Admiral's Cup kicked off, a great deal of respect could be felt and heard for the history of the series, once known as the unofficial world championship for sailing teams in highly demanding tidal waters. The protagonists shared happy and emotional memories of golden cup times and thoughts of camaraderie. They also talked about their ambitious hopes and eagerly awaited the sporting team competition, for which they had prepared long and hard.

The Heydays of the Admiral's Cup: What the sailors say...

What the sailors said in Cowes reminded the older ones of the heydays of the classic in British waters and - with the Rolex Fastnet Race - also in the Irish Sea and in the French finishing area of Cherbourg. The younger ones got a further taste of how highly regarded this regatta still is in the sailing community and who it has mobilised. This is what the sailors had to say:

"Motivating support": Pierre Casiraghi, "Jolt 6", Yacht Club de Monaco

"We took the Admiral's Cup very seriously - it's a prestigious event with a rich history. And we did everything we could to prepare. We spent a lot of time on the water as a team to be as well prepared as possible. The regatta in the Solent is incredibly complex; the current is strong and unpredictable. For someone who is not used to it, it almost feels like the buoys are moving. Fortunately, we have Ben Saxton on board who knows the area. That's a great help.

Representing Monaco means a lot to me." Pierre Casiraghi

We are a small country with few sports in which we can excel. So when we perform well, it's well received at home. I was in the old town recently. Some older residents told me how proud they are of our performance - they follow the regatta closely. This kind of support is really motivating. We know that the Admiral's Cup will be long and challenging, so we are taking each day as it comes, staying focussed and consistent. Now it's time to put it all together and deliver."

"Great honour": Mike Sanderson, "Callisto", Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron

"The Admiral's Cup holds a legendary place in New Zealand sailing history - right up there with the Olympics, the America's Cup and the Whitbread. When I was growing up, it was one of the highlights. In the early 1980s we had 30 boats competing for qualification in Auckland. That gives you an idea of how important this event was then and still is today. So it's a great honour to be here representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron along with another great New Zealand crew. This event is different - it requires a completely different mindset.

You don't just sail for yourself, but for your country and your team." Mike Sanderson

One mistake can affect the entire team. We learnt that in 1999 when we won the Cup with the Dutch team even though we hadn't won a single race. You need consistency, smart decisions and you can't be guilty of anything in the protest room. The special thing about it is the camaraderie: barbecues, sharing equipment, solving problems together. There is something mystical about the Admiral's Cup that makes it more than just a regatta - it is a real team championship. And sailing these high-performance 42-foot boats adds to the challenge and excitement. We are on the verge of something very special."

"Deep roots": Abby Ehler, "Black Pearl", New York Yacht Club

"It's fantastic to be here representing the New York Yacht Club at such a prestigious and historic event. What strikes me most is the high level of competition. When you look at the teams and sailors, it really is world class. This talent brings out the best in all of us, and it's incredibly exciting to see such a healthy, vibrant format making a comeback.

What makes the Admiral's Cup so unique is the team spirit." Abby Ehler

In most Grand Prix regattas, you concentrate exclusively on the result of your own boat. But here you are not just racing for yourself, but for your team, your club and your country. This gives you extra pride and pressure and is something very special that you don't see often enough in this sport. The Admiral's Cup has deep roots dating back to 1957 and the original rivalry between Great Britain and the USA. It is a great honour for the New York Yacht Club to be part of this heritage. We are proud to be here, aware of the history that lies behind us and look forward to playing our part in what will be an incredible regatta."

"A privilege": Vasco Vascotto, "Django WR51", Yacht Club Costa Smeralda

"First of all, we hope this Wally is a rocket - that's the plan anyway! But in reality it's a brand new boat. We've thrown it straight in at the deep end by taking it to the Admiral's Cup. It was designed as a performance cruiser, but we've accepted the challenge and are doing everything we can to be competitive. I've been checking the weather forecasts for the end of July since January. Every time I see strong winds and high waves, I just delete them and look again!

This event is about more than just the race, it's about honouring this cup." Vasco Vascotto

The Cup is the real star, and we are here as supporting actors to put on the best possible show, because this trophy deserves it. "I am incredibly grateful to Giovanni Lombardi for giving us this opportunity. With Michele Ivaldi and Guillermo Parada as team managers and legends like Juan Vila as navigator, we have put together an incredible crew. I'm so happy to be back - my first Admiral's Cup was in 1999 and to return is a privilege. This is a rare event that requires months of preparation and logistics - you won't find a challenge and prestige like this anywhere else."

"Unique and brilliant place": Ian Walker, "Privateer", Royal Irish Yacht Club

"I remember the Admiral's Cup vividly from my youth - I used to watch the results live at the finish line in Cowes during the Channel Race and thought to myself that one day I would like to take part. I took part in the last three editions, but that was over 20 years ago. So it's very special for me to return.

This event is not only important for sailors, but also for the entire maritime industry." Ian Walker

From yacht designers to sailmakers and riggers to clothing brands, the Admiral's Cup is a showcase for innovation and talent. It's also a huge boost for Cowes. You only have to go into a sandwich shop or pub - everyone is talking about it. We have young Irish crew members, but I've loved showing our predominantly American crew members around the area. They are excited about the currents, sandbanks and ferries - it reminds me of how unique and great this place is.

The format is challenging: coastal and offshore racing, tides, tactics and pressure. I pray for wind - real offshore conditions. But consistency is crucial. You can't win the Admiral's Cup if you don't finish the Fastnet. It's not over until you cross the finish line in Cherbourg. A single mistake can decide everything. That's what makes it so exciting."

"It's about opportunities": Gerd-Jan Poortman, "Rost Van Uden", Dutch Offshore Sailing Team

"We are proud to be here with a Dutch youth team - a group of talented sailors who are selected every three years and trained for this moment. Normally our projects end with a European or World Championship, but this time it's the Admiral's Cup. We are a bit of an outsider in a field of professionals, but our aim is to sail as professionally as possible and show what these young sailors can do. The average age on board is only 23, and although we only have a limited budget, we are well prepared, well trained and ready to compete.

It's come full circle for me. I was once the young man who sailed for the Admiral's Cup in the Sydney 40, now I'm the skipper and coach of this next generation." Gerd-Jan Poortman

This is their springboard, and what they do next is entirely up to them. We want to surprise a few teams. We are focussed, we have the necessary equipment and we believe in ourselves. As a famous pirate once said: 'Not all treasure is silver and gold'. This project is about opportunity, pride and giving our sailors the best chance of a professional future."

"More accessible format": Eric de Turckheim, "Teasing Machine", Yacht Club de France

"The Admiral's Cup was a dream for me as a young sailor. In the 1970s, when I was sailing off the coast here in my early 20s, it was the event par excellence. I still vividly remember the energy in Cowes - the camaraderie, the international atmosphere - teams like the Brazilians dancing through the streets. I dreamed of taking part myself one day.

As the former programme and race director of the RORC, reviving the Admiral's Cup was a priority for a number of reasons. Offshore racing was booming, just look at the growth of the Fastnet Race, but we needed something to bring top international teams back to Cowes and reconnect with inshore sailing, which is an important part of our sport.

The Admiral's Cup was the obvious answer." Eric de Turckheim

We relaunched the event with a more accessible format - two boats per team in the 40 and 50-foot professional classes - to lower the barrier to entry. The response has exceeded all expectations. The teams are building boats specifically for this event, which is exceptional. This speaks for the continued prestige of the Admiral's Cup. I also hope that one day we can relaunch the Commodores' Cup, an important platform for Corinthian sailors. But for now, the Admiral's Cup is back and having exactly the impact we hoped for."

"Young sailors can play key roles": Moriz 'Momo' Forster, "Red Bandit", Bavarian Yacht Club

"German boats have a long and proud tradition in the Admiral's Cup. And Germany has a strong offshore sailing scene. For us, this event is the absolute highlight - the best teams in the world compete against each other here. For young teams like us, it is an enormous motivation to prove ourselves, find partners and show that we belong on this stage.

Of course, the conditions here are very different to those on our Bavarian lake." Moritz Forster

Getting used to strong currents and tides is a steep learning curve, and preparing a boat for inshore, coastal and offshore racing at the same time is a big challenge. But that's exactly why we're here. We are proud to represent a youth team at a professional level. And we are here to take on the experienced professionals.

Our aim is to show that with the right preparation and attitude, young sailors can take on key roles and bring the boat to peak performance. We know we'll learn a lot, but we're also here to challenge ourselves, push ourselves and hopefully surprise a few people."

"Something very personal": Gavin Brady, "Beau Geste", Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club

"The Admiral's Cup is legendary for many reasons, but for Karl Kwok and myself it's especially personal - it's the 100th race we've competed in together. Fittingly, it's also the race that started our journey together, so it feels incredibly special to be returning to such a historic event. We started planning as soon as the regatta was announced. The challenge was huge: how do you get an inshore boat round the Fastnet course?

This led us on a trip through Scandinavia and Northern Europe, where we tested the equipment and refined our setup. In the end, we decided to build a new 40-foot boat, not just for the Admiral's Cup, but because we believe these boats have a great future in the sport.

The competition is tough, and yes, it will be exciting. But that's what makes the Admiral's Cup so unique. Everyone is here for the same reason: to compete with the best."

Karl has entrusted me with the organisation of this campaign, and we are not only here to compete, but also to proudly represent the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club flag. Hong Kong has a vibrant sailing scene - yachts racing in the centre of the city - and we are proud to showcase that spirit on the world stage."

One large boat and one small boat form a team. 15 teams take part. The Admiral's Cup is back: