The Yacht Club of Monaco team has won the Admiral's Cup following a competitive Rolex Fastnet Race. The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club finished as runner-up, while the Royal Irish Yacht Club ranked 13th overall.
Both Royal Irish boats, Ron O'Hanley's Privateer and Tom Kneen's Sunrise IV, faced tough competition in their classes and finished in tenth place. Over the 695 nautical miles, all locations saw varying conditions and tactical challenges.
“The race was a Fastnet, so as you’d expect, it was challenging technically,” commented Kneen. He noted that despite reaching second place at various points, setbacks impacted their final result.
Kneen expressed disappointment about their near wins, attributing losses to periods of bad luck. He praised his crew for their dedication and emphasised the importance of teamwork.
“The standard set by other crews was remarkable,” Kneen added. He acknowledged the Royal Irish Yacht Club's support, stating that “lifelong relationships have been built.”
Crew members shared a sense of optimism. “It feels like the beginning of something, not the end,” one said. Kneen reflected, “It's very good for mental health being offshore with a good group of people.”
In the AC1 class, Privateer skipper Ron O'Hanley was also pleased with the experience. “My expectations were exceeded,” he said.
With 60 miles to go, top boats, including Privateer, remained closely matched. O'Hanley described the race conditions as below average, yet challenging. He expressed interest in pursuing more inshore racing.
“Having the support of the RIYC was very special,” O'Hanley noted. “They are role models for other clubs.”
