The 25th edition of the Cannonball Team Racing Trophy proved as dramatic and memorable as it's storied history, with the Royal St George Yacht Club ultimately prevailing in a hard-fought final against the Royal Netherlands Yacht Club in Muiden, Holland.
From the moment competitors were collected at Amsterdam's Centraal Station and whisked away by ship—courtesy of Dutch team captain Arno—to the welcoming clubhouse in Muiden, this year's event captured the spirit of international camaraderie and friendly rivalry that has defined the Cannonball for a quarter of a century. The event, raced in Dragons, saw teams from the Royal St George (Dún Laoghaire), the Royal London Yacht Club of Cowes, and the hosts in Muiden go head-to-head for the famous trophy.
After a first day of racing in a steady 10–15 knots, the scoreboard could not have been closer: honours even across the board. With a brisk forecast looming, the race committee made the call to run a sudden-death series of three races on day two, ensuring the trophy would be decided on the water, not in the bar.
The final race, sailed in 15+ knots and shifting breezes, had it all—lead changes, tactical duels, and nerves of steel, which was enough to secure victory and, with it, the right to bring the legendary Cannonball Trophy back to Dún Laoghaire.
The Cannonball Trophy itself is no ordinary silverware. It is, in fact, a genuine cannonball—reportedly fired from a famous Dutch naval ship (reportedly by an Irish gunner) at a British vessel during the historic Battle of Medway. With every passing year, the tradition of "bringing the cannonball home" grows richer, and this year's victory adds another chapter to its remarkable story.
The winning Royal St George crew were: Peter Bowring (captain), John O'Connor, Tim Pearson, Marcus Pearson, John O'Driscoll, Conor Grimley and travelling umpire Ailbe Millerick.
