The first two races of the new look Admiral’s Cup take place this Saturday 12 July from Cowes. With eight teams lined-up for the start including one from Australia, four from England, one from France and two from Spain, indications show that this event, which was originally planned to take place in Dublin (see report at: http://www.yachting-world.com/auto/newsdesk/20020931205352ywnews.html) gives all the indications that it could be an event to remember with eight team signed up so far.

In an effort to restore enthusiasm in the event organisers have changed the format this year opening the event up to club teams with two boats per team including an IMS600 and an IRC big boat.

The race format is similar to previous year with two days of two inshore, round the cans races during the first weekend as a warm up followed by two days of short offshore races, a long inshore race, two more inshore races on the Thursday, and the final Wolf Rock Race on the last day.

Race Programme

Thursday 10th July – 0900 Registration and Inspection

Friday 11th July – Inspection

1600 Skippers & Navigators Briefing

1800 Welcome Reception Royal Yacht Squadron

Saturday 12th July – Races 1 & 2 (2 x Inshore Races) 1.0 Point each

Sunday 13th July – Races 3 & 4 (2 x Inshore Races) 1.0 Point each

Monday 14th July – Race 5 (Short Offshore) 2.0 Points (flexi-course) 24 – 36 hrs

Tuesday 15th July – Short Offshore

Wednesday 16th July – Race 6 (RORC Trophy Race) 1.0 Point (Long Inshore Up to 12 hrs)

Thursday 17th July – Races 7 & 8 (2 x Inshore Races) 1.0 Point each

Friday 18th July – Reserve Day

Saturday 19th July – Race 9 (Wolf Rock Race) 4.0 Points

(Long Offshore Approx 400 miles for IRC Big Boats; 300 Miles for IMS600 class)

Wednesday 23rd July – 1700 Prizegiving at Royal Yacht Squadron

Thursday 24th July – Reserve day for prizegiving

List of entries

Australia – Challenge from Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club

IRC Big BoatWild Oats – Reichel/Pugh 60′ (Owner Robert Oatley, Mark Richards helmsman, Iain Murray tactician, America’s Cup navigator Ian Burns)

IMS 600Aftershock – Rodman 42 (to be chartered by Colin O’Neil, Colin Beashel helmsman, Richard Allanson mainsheet, Whitbread navigator Adrienne Cahalan, Adrian Stead)

England – THE SAILABILITY ADMIRAL’S CUP TEAM

1) Challenge from Royal Ocean Racing Club

Team Captain: Peter Harrison

IRC Big BoatChernikeef 2 – Skipper – Marc Fitzgerald

IMS 600Wind ITA-55 – Rodman 42 – skipper Ian Walker (Ben Ainslie on board)

THE SAILABILITY ADMIRAL’S CUP TEAM

2) Challenge from Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club

IRC Big BoatChernikeef (Farr 50)

IMS 600Sinergia 40 – skipper Andy Cassell, Paralympic Gold Medallist

England – Challenge from Royal Southern Yacht Club

IRC Big BoatVolvo for Life Team Tonic – Farr 52 (Owner Nick Hewson) helmsman Jeremy Robinson

IMS 600Crewsaver Dickies a new built Sinergia (Owner Nigel Biggs)

England – Challenge from Royal Thames Yacht Club

IRC Big BoatBear of Britain – Farr 52 (Kit Hobday/Tim Louis)

IMS 600Dancing Bear – Sinergia 40 (David Scanlan) Helmsman – Robert Berwick

France – Challenge from UNCL

IRC Big BoatNegotiating charter of Farr 52 – Hollywood Boulevard

IMS600Paprec Sinergia 40

Spain -Challenge from Real Club Nautico de Vigo

Estrella Galicia (Spanish Beer) Admiral’s Cup Sailing Team

IRC Big Boat60 footer – helmsman Javier Aguado

IMS 600Sinergia 40 – helmsman Alberto Viejo

Spain – Challenge from Real Club Nautico San Genjo (Galicia)

IRC Big BoatBribon Telefonica Moviestar – Jason Ker 55 Owner Jose Cuse, Skipper HM Juan Carlos

IMS 600Telefonica Moviestar – Rodman 42 Owner/Skipper/Helmsman Pedro Campos. Crew includes Eddie Warden-Owen, Bouwe Bekking, Jens Christensen, John Miller, Henrik Sutherland