The RORC Channel Race started in light downwind breeze in the central Solent with a flooding tide. The spinnaker start for the 30 Admiral’s Cup boats, in tight formation with the tide, would have had nerves jangling on board. Ahead of the impressive fleet was a course of over 160 nautical miles. Designed to test the crews and their boats at a variety of sailing angles and in a huge range of conditions, the outcome would not only result in double points but also precious points that cannot be discarded.
Based on early provisional standings, a highly fluid situation exists with Royal Irish's Privateer within a few miles of the leading boats in the AC1 class and producing some of the fastest speeds - so far. RIYC's Sunrise IV is in a closely grouped bunch of back-markers in AC2 but well positioned and sailing fast so could gain ground in the coming hours.
The spectacular Admiral's Cup gets underway Photo: Rick Tomlinson
The Admiral's Cup fleet pulls away from the start © James Tomlinson/RORC
Starts are always important but never more so than in light airs, where getting into clean air can increase boat speed exponentially. Pick of the starters was the Wally Rocket Django (YCCS) and Chris Frost’s AMP-lifi (RORC white). However it was Gordon Ketelbey’s TP52 Zen (CYCA) that found the best boat speed, extending an early lead, but not for long. The breeze fielded in from behind and the fleet made short work of sailing up to Zen. The Admiral’s Cup is a marathon of close to a thousand miles of racing and it has begun.
The crew of the Royal Irish yacht Privateer in the Admiral's Cup Channel Race Photo: Rick Tomlinson
Admiral’s Cup Principal Race Officer Stuart Childerley, a past winner of the Admiral’s Cup, commented after the start: “From the moment the fleet crossed the start line, it was clear this was something special. Boats nailed it near the pin but across the board there was an electric mix of skill and strategy. The wind was light—just seven knots from 262 degrees —and with the tide just beginning to flood, start positioning was absolutely critical. It produced a spectacular spread with some standout performances from the middle and pin ends. As the boats moved off toward the forts it was genuinely breathtaking to look across the Solent and see that vast display of sails. That kind of sight hasn’t been seen in Cowes for decades.
Reaching through the East Solent Photo: Rick Tomlinson
The key today, as with the entire Admiral’s Cup, is consistency. This is a marathon, not a sprint—double points for the Channel Race and no discard makes it vital not to falter early. But even if a team didn’t have the perfect start, there’s a long way to go. With over 1,000 miles of offshore racing and six inshore races still to come, the Cup is going to test every skill set we value in the sport: tactical acumen, boat handling, endurance and precision.
What makes the Admiral’s Cup unique is this blend—it’s not just another offshore or inshore event. It’s everything, all in one. And whoever is standing on the podium in Cherbourg will have earned it the hard way. That’s what makes it such a legendary event. It’s fantastic to see it back and today’s start was a brilliant beginning.”
Beau Geste leads the pack early in the race Photo: James Tomlinson
Three hours into the Channel Race, the entire fleet had rounded the South Pullar mark. Karl Kwok’s TP52 Beau Geste (RHKYC) was leading a pack of boats on the water, including Botin 56 Black Pearl (RORC – Red) skippered by Stefan Jentzsch, along with Peter Harrison’s TP52 Jolt 3 (YCM) and Niklas Zennstrom’s Carkeek 52 Rán (KSSS).
Jolt 6 goes well at the start Photo: Rick Tomlinson
In AC2 the on-the-water lead is changing with each update. Carkeek 40 Jolt 6 (YCM) with Pierre Casiraghi at the helm and Botin 40 Beau Ideal (RHYC) skippered by Chris Cowan are going well with James Murray’s B&C 42 Callisto (RNZYS) very much in the running.
Close concentration on Garm Photo: Rick Tomlinson
Just a few hours into the race, the IRC corrected time ranking is bound to change, but two of the lower rating boats faring well are Giovanni Lombardi Stronati’s JPK 1180 Django (YCCS) and Per Roman’s JPK 1180 Garm (RORC – Red).
