Admirals Cup: Day 7 - Leaders round the Scilly Isles and head for finish.
by Richard Gladwell in Cowes 29 Jul 18:29 NZST
Beau Geste (HKG) - AC1 - Start Fastnet Race - 2025 Admirals' Cup - Cowes - July 26, 2025 © James Tomlinson
The lead boats in AC1 (50fters) have rounded the Scilly Isles, and are heading for the finish off Cherbourg.
The "big boat" of the RNZYS team, the Botin 52 Caro, being shown on the tracker as being between two lead boats Beau Geste (HKG) and Jolt3 (MON), yet initially was shown as being the bottom placed boat in the fleet (excluding one that has retired). However overnight the issue was corrected, and Caro is now listed as 6th overall.
It would still seem likely that Monaco will win the Admirals' Cup, with Hong Kong second. Third place will be a shoot-out between the Italians (Yacht Club Costa Smeralda) and New Zealand (RNZYS), with New Zealand having the edge due to the performance of their AC2 (40fter) Callisto lying second overall in the 30 boat fleet.
On the water, the lead boat in AC1 is the 56ft Black Pearl, on the projected finish times and application of the ratings, is shown as being second in her division.
In the AC2 division, Jolt6 (MON) is leading with RNZYS' Callisto second in the predictions, with Beau Ideal (HKG) in third overall. The predicted results for AC2, look to be accurate. As of 2300hrs BST, the AC2 boats had 212nm to sail to the finish.
According to the Predictwind observation function, winds over the race area are highly variable, showing light winds at Lands End, while here at Cowes it has been blowing 25kts most of the day.
The strategies for the race boats are normally controlled by wind and tidal flows, however the presence of Exclusion Zones and deciding which course to take is adding another level of complexity to an already complex race.
Tracking: Track the fleet via Yellow Brick Tracker to use the YB Tracker which you can download as an App on your phone or mobile device. To use the Tracker deselect the yachts you do not wish to view. The default view is for the whole fleet to be shown.
Live results here
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