Admiral’s Cup 2025: AC2 Class Promises Thrilling Competition

The Admiral’s Cup 2025 promises high-level competition, and the AC2 class is set to deliver some of the most exciting action. While smaller than their AC1 counterparts, these boats face a significant challenge, blending tactical precision with pure offshore endurance. The crews represent the global elite of offshore racing, including Olympic medalists, Vendée Globe veterans, America’s Cup champions, and leading figures from the inshore racing circuit.

Teams to Watch

Abracadabra (NYYC – Black Magic)
Donald Thinschmidt’s American team brings his Ker 43 Abracadabra with a dream crew. Andy Beadsworth and Simon Fry, both veterans of the 1993 Admiral’s Cup, contribute their knowledge of the waters. Pete Selby, a British Solent expert, handles navigation. Curtis Florence, a Canadian Sailor of the Year, and Brad Boston, a two-time Olympian, add international flair.
AMP-lifi (RORC White)
Chris Frost, a Swan world champion, realizes his dream with his Carkeek 42 AMP-lifi, formerly Girls on Film, a past Fast40+ queen. The predominantly British crew excels in versatility, featuring One Ton Cup figures and Quarter Tonner stars. Navigator Kevin George, with experience on the Maxi 72 Alegre and Pip Hare’s Medallia, embodies this generation with a sharp sense of humor.
Back to Black (CYCA)
Australian icon Sean Langman, with 34 Sydney Hobart races under his belt, leads his modified GP42 Back to Black. The crew includes Irishman Gordon Maguire, a four-time round-the-world participant and winner of the 1989 Admiral’s Cup, racing alongside his son Charlie, the youngest competitor in the edition. Matt Humphries, a veteran of four Volvo Ocean Races, is also on board.
Baraka GP (Dutch Offshore Sailing Team)
Dirk and Olivier de Graff continue their family’s Fastnet saga on their Ker 43 Baraka GP, supported by renowned navigator Wouter Verbraak, who has participated in three Volvo Ocean Races. Young Dutch talents from the 49er class and the Rotterdam Offshore Sailing Team complete this solid team.
Beau Ideal (RHKYC)
Karl Kwok fields a brand new Botin 40, Beau Ideal, with a promising crew. Dave Swete, a two-time Volvo Ocean Race participant and match racing world champion, sails alongside Suzy Peters. Local Robbie Southwell, James Crampton, and Ryan Houston, three offshore veterans, provide valuable depth to the team.
Callisto (Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron)
One of the most prestigious crews in the AC2 fleet. On board the GP42 Callisto are Dean Barker, Mike Sanderson, James Dagg, Ian Moore, Pierluigi de Felice, and Nic Asher, all champions on the TP52, Maxi, or America’s Cup circuits. A true dream team to watch.
Django JPK (YCCS)
Giovanni Lombardi Stronati brings together an impressive lineup on the JPK 1180 Django: Juan Vila (America’s Cup, Volvo Ocean Race, Jules Verne Trophy), Dirk de Ridder, Ross Halcrow, and Michele Ivaldi, all multi-award winners, supported by German Michi Mueller, a specialist in major offshore races.
Garm (RORC Red)
Per Roman’s JPK 1180 Garm relies on an experienced Swedish-Spanish alliance. Gustavo Martínez Doreste, a two-time Olympian and multi-titled in one-design classes, shares the cockpit with IRC and J/80 specialists.
Ginkgo (Bayerischer YC)
Dirk Clasen’s German amateur crew on Ginkgo has taken a significant step by tackling the Humphreys 39 carbon. Awarded the German Offshore Award 2023, the team aims to measure its talent against international leaders.
Edelweiss (Hamburger Segel Club)
Another German representative, Edelweiss fields a Corinthian crew that has remained loyal for a decade. Accustomed to races in the Baltic Sea and the Rolex Fastnet Race, they play the card of tenacity.
Jolt 6 (YCM)
Pierre Casiraghi’s Monaco team looks formidable on Jolt 6, a Carkeek 40+. Boris Herrmann, Cole Brauer, and Will Harris, all from Team Malizia, share the adventure with Ben Saxton, Andrew McLean, Tom Dawson, and Graeme Spence, an explosive mix of match racing, America’s Cup, and Vendée Globe specialists.
Nola (KSSS)
Under the Swedish flag, Nola fields an international team led by Aksel Magdahl, a two-time round-the-world sailor, Piotr Przybylski, a match racing world champion, and Hugo Rocha, an Olympic medalist.
Sunrise IV (Royal Irish Yacht Club)
Tom Kneen returns with Sunrise IV, an optimized version of his JPK 1180 that won the 2021 Fastnet. He reunites with his navigator Tom Cheney and relies on the experience of Eddie Warden Owen, winner of the 1981 Admiral’s Cup, surrounded by Irish Olympians.
X-Day (RVG)
Under the German flag, X-Day, formerly Redshift, relies on a collective of seasoned racers: Nick Cherry, and IRC racing specialists.

The AC2 class offers a unique richness: highly varied profiles, boats with eclectic architectures, and performances that vary depending on the weather and sea conditions. This is what makes this division so magical, where gaps can widen with each tack, and where the favorites are not always who you expect. One thing is certain: the spectacle will be there.

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