RNZYS reveals two-boat Admiral’s Cup team for Cowes competition
by Ella Sagnol/Sail-World NZ 30 Nov 14:10 PST
IRC52 Caro at the 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart © Carlo Borlenghi
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) has confirmed its involvement in the 2025 Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) Admiral’s Cup, a distinguished team racing event in the international yachting calendar.
The RNZYS team will showcase an outstanding duo: Callisto, a Custom Botin IRC 42 owned by James Murray, and Caro, a Custom Botin IRC 52 owned by Max Klink.
Adrian Stead, an accomplished offshore and TP52 skipper with two Fastnet Race victories, is believed to have played a key role in organizing the RNZYS team.
Established in 1957, the Admiral’s Cup, organized by the RORC, boasts a rich heritage as the “unofficial world championship of offshore racing.” This prestigious event rapidly became a highlight, drawing elite yachts and crews from around the world. Traditionally hosted on the Solent and culminating in the Rolex Fastnet race, the competition has teams of three yachts from each nation competing in both inshore and offshore races. Its unique team-based scoring structure serves as a rigorous evaluation of sailing, navigation skills, strategy, and seamanship.
Marking the centenary year of the Royal Ocean Racing Club in 2025, the competition will return with a refreshed two-boat team format, balancing the sport’s evolution with its traditional elements. Clubs or countries can enter teams made up of two boats, with no restrictions on professional crew or their nationality. There will be two classes, and each team will feature one boat in each class.
RNZYS will play an integral role in this fresh chapter with a strong combination of vessels and crews representing them:
Callisto (Custom Botin IRC 42) – Owned by James Murray, Callisto is a high-performance yacht engineered for precision and speed under the competitive IRC rating rule. With its cutting-edge design and skilled crew, the yacht is ready to thrive in both inshore and offshore races.
Caro (Custom Botin IRC 52) – Owned by Max Klink, Caro is a formidable boat on the water, merging top-notch craftsmanship with innovative technology. The yacht’s success on the international racing stage, including multiple Sydney to Hobart races, enhances New Zealand’s reputation for excellence in sailing.
“We are excited to send Callisto and Caro to the Admiral’s Cup under the RNZYS flag,” stated Gillian Williams, RNZYS Commodore. “This event stands as a hallmark of international sailing, and we’re confident that our team’s skills and determination will shine on the racecourse, making our members proud.”
New Zealand has a storied history in competitive sailing, and RNZYS is familiar with success in the Admiral’s Cup, winning the prestigious event in 1987 and finishing third in 1985. The nation saw its first significant achievement in the 1981 Admiral’s Cup with Ian Gibbs and the Ron Holland-designed Swuzzlebubble, which was the top points scorer among 48 boats competing in 16 teams.
Since its inception in 1957, when two three-boat teams from Britain and the USA first contended for the trophy provided by Sir Myles Wyatt and former Admirals of the RORC to stimulate international offshore racing in British waters, the trophy has had a distinguished history. The Cup continued to be contested every Fastnet Year until 1999. Although the event was canceled in 2001, it was revived in 2003 with Australia taking the victory; however, it lapsed until recently. The RORC has been resolute in reinstating the event, announcing a new, more feasible two-boat team format.
During its prime, many countries, including New Zealand and Australia, conducted selection trials for their teams, with new boats crafted specifically for participation in the Admiral’s Cup. Australia captured the trophy in 1967, with nine three-boat teams competing.
The event’s format and scoring continue to follow traditional guidelines:
A series will consist of three races (one of which must be offshore). Inshore races allow for one discard if five or more races are completed.
Offshore races will be non-discardable. The short offshore race will carry a weighting of 2, while the Rolex Fastnet Race will have a weighting of 3.
The 2025 RORC Admiral’s Cup is scheduled from July 17 to August 1, uniting the world’s finest sailors for an exhilarating display of teamwork, strategy, and endurance. RNZYS, the defender of the America’s Cup, has expressed its honor in participating and is eager to compete for victory against an elite field.
