Why the Admiral's Cup is Special + How it was won in 1987

Once the most prestigious trophy in offshore racing, the Admiral’s Cup has been absent since 2003 but this year it’s back and in the Solent there’s no mistaking it. With 15 teams competing in a fleet of 30 boats Cowes and Hamble been buzzing throughout a season long build up that has seen some foreign teams start their training back in the Spring. But what’s the big deal? For those that remember the event’s heyday, the return of the competition for the squat yet ornate golden trophy will spark plenty of stories. But for those that didn’t engage with offshore racing until after the Admiral’s Cup had fizzled out and in era that was pre-digital, seeing what the fuss is all about is quite tricky. Fortunately, as the event counts down to its comeback PlanetSail has been given exclusive access to the full feature of the 1987 Cup. It’s a great insight into why the Admiral’s Cup was so special and why it’s return is a very big deal.