Royal Cork Yacht Club concluded a strong campaign at the 2025 Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup by finishing fifth overall, the best result among the three Irish entrants in Newport, Rhode Island. The Crosshaven team, led by Anthony O'Leary, the only overseas club to have competed in all nine editions of the biennial regatta, delivered a series that included podium results in Races 9 and 10 and ended the week firmly inside the top five.
Darren Wright's Howth Yacht Club closed on a high with third place in the final race, securing 12th overall, while Dave Maguire's Royal Irish Yacht Club crew placed 16th after a consistent week of mid-fleet racing. Together, the three Irish clubs ensured strong representation in what is widely regarded as the premier amateur big-boat sailing competition.
Howth Yacht Club powering to a third-place finish in the last race of the 2025 Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup, ending the regatta in 12th overall. Photo: Daniel Forster
The overall title went to San Diego Yacht Club, who overcame a mid-fleet struggle in the deciding race to overhaul their rivals and clinch the championship for a second time. Tactician Adam Roberts credited a late surge: “It starts with that leeward mark rounding … we had a quick tack, found our wheels, had clean air … and that’s what it takes.”
RRoyal Irish Yacht Club competing on Narragansett Bay during the concluding race of the 2025 Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup, finishing 16th overall. Photo: Daniel Forster
Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club finished second overall after holding fourth in the final race, while Royal Vancouver Yacht Club completed the podium in third following a strong midweek charge. Corinthian Yacht Club of Marblehead, Massachusetts, claimed fourth ahead of Royal Cork.
With sun and steady breezes on Narragansett Bay, the final day delivered dramatic swings in fortune. At one stage, the virtual lead in the regatta shifted three times between San Diego, Royal Hong Kong and Royal Vancouver before San Diego’s late rally sealed the outcome.
The New York Yacht Club, hosts of the event, won the final race but finished ninth overall.
Irish Results (Final Standings):
- Royal Cork Yacht Club – 5th (93 points)
- Howth Yacht Club – 12th (126 points)
- Royal Irish Yacht Club – 16th (168 points)
The 2025 Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup was sailed in the IC37 class, designed by Mark Mills, with 20 teams from 12 countries competing. Racing took place from 6–13 September at the New York Yacht Club Harbour Court in Newport.
2025 Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup Final Results
1. San Diego (Calif.) Yacht Club (7-1-1-1-2-8-7-2-1-16-9-8) 63 points
2. Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (3-4-4-3-20-4-3-5-2-3-13-4) 68 points
3. Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, CAN (6-RDG/5.6-RDG/5.6-6-10-3-4-14-5-1-1-9) 70.1 points
4. Corinthian Yacht Club, Marblehead, Mass. (5-7-11-11-8-10-8-1-11-4-2-2) 80 points
5. Royal Cork Yacht Club, IRL (14-5-12-10-6-2-12-10-3-2-6-11) 93 points
6. Royal Swedish Yacht Club (11-2-5-7-9-6-6-16*-14-10-3-6) 95 points
7. Royal Canadian Yacht Club (10-3-2-2-3-5-5-17-15-7-20-10) 99 points
8. Royal Thames Yacht Club, GBR (2-11-3-13-5-1-10-12-4-13-16-15) 105 points
9. New York (N.Y.) Yacht Club (8-9-6-5-12-7-11-8-17-9-15-1) 108 points
10. Eastern Yacht Club, Marblehead, Mass. (13-15-14-8-4-9-2-6-8-8-8-14) 109 points
11. Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, ITA (1-8-8-9-16-16-14-16-6-5-12-5) 116 points
12. Howth Yacht Club, IRL (9-16-15-12-11-13-15-4-12-12-4-3) 126 points
13. Japan Sailing Federation (19-10-16-4-1-14-NSC/21-3-9-11-7-17) 131 points
14. Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, AUS (12-6-10-16*-16*-12-18-18-18-15-10-7) 158 points
15. Yacht Club Italiano (15-14-19-14-19-19-9-7-20-6-11-12) 165 points
16. Royal Irish Yacht Club (16-12-18-20-7-15-16-9-7-14-18-16) 168 points
17. Itchenor Sailing Club, GBR (DSQ/21-13-18*-19-17-18-2*-11-19-20-5-13) 176 points
18. Yacht Club Punta del Este, URU (4-17-13-17-13-11-17-20-13-18-19-20) 182 points
19. Yacht Club de Ilhabela, BRA (RET/21-18-7-16-19*-20-13-13-10-17-17-19) 190 points
20. Yacht Club Argentino (18-19-9-18-14-17-NSC/21-19-16-19-14-18) 201 points
*Score includes 1-point umpire penalty
