Rival Admiral's Cup?

Possible alternatives to the Admiral's Cup are waiting in the wings

Following discord from a number of IRM owners, pressure is now mounting from a number of other directions on the newly reconstituted Admiral's Cup .

Though conceding that his plans are currently at an early stage, Farr International's Geoff Stagg is quite open about his intentions to stage a three-boat team competition in the Mediterranean in late August or early September 2003. Though details are not yet finalised, Stagg says that the plan is to hold a regatta for teams comprising a Farr 40, Mumm 30 and Melges 24.

Stagg is expecting between 20 and 25 entries, with teams solicited from clubs rather than nations. To date he has been delighted with the response to his idea, saying with little candour, "it seems to have been well received."

While it would be easy to see this as idle marketing talk, there is evidence to support Stagg's view. The Farr 40 class will be holding their World Championships in Sardinia in late September next year. With more than 30 boats expected at that event, it does not seem unreasonable to expect many of them to move on to the as yet unnamed team event.

The Melges 24 World Championships are in Denmark in July, ensuring a good international fleet in Europe. Most nations will therefore have a competitive boat in Europe and for those who do not, there will be a large pool of competitive boats available from charter.

Stagg's plan is to select a central Mediterranean venue to ease the logistical problems for both classes. And you can be sure the Mumm 30 class will be mindful of the proposed team event when selecting a venue and date for their European Championships.

"We have three of ISAF's premier big boat classes here," says Stagg simply. "Why not have a regatta based around them?" His logic, it must be said, is impeccable. One can only wonder why the RORC didn't think of it first. As ever, Stagg has a simple answer to that one. "The reason why these boats were not used for the Admiral's Cup was because we would not let them," he says in reference to the owners' desire to keep their boats away from the politics and complications of the RORC's event.

To have three of their premier adopted International Classes coming together is also much to ISAF's benefit. With the battle between the 'old' ORC and the ISAF modernisers still rumbling along in the background, a major regatta based around three fully adopted one-design classes can only be a good thing for the modernisers. ISAF President, Paul Henderson is a firm supporter of the proposed event. "The ISAF Multi-crewed Classes want it and it is good for the sport," he told madforsailing. "It allows the top sailors to compete for their country without having to spend the work-up time required in one-offs."

Cowes have their own ideas...

As if this assault on the Admiral's Cup were not enough on its own, news is coming to light of a proposed grand prix team event based in Cowes.

Plans for this event are less well advanced than those for the Mediterranean regatta. When questioned on the subject, long-time RORC member, regular Solent racer, Cowes resident and prime mover behind the project, Robert Bickett commented cryptically, "there is nothing organised yet, but that does not mean to say it's not being discussed. A lot of people are hoping that it might happen."

Bickett is rumoured to be in discussions with one or more Cowes Clubs with a view to running the event either before or as part of Cowes Week in 2003. "I would like to see the good will generated by the Jubilee built upon and not just washed down the tubes," he says, adding, "it is unthinkable for there not to be a grand prix regatta in Cowes."

The RORC is clearly taking the threat seriously and in an unprecedented letter sent recently to all its Isle of Wight resident members, Commodore, Peter Rutter writes, "I am aware that there has been disquiet about the intention to hold the 2003 Admiral's Cup away from Cowes, and that there is a perception that the Royal Ocean racing Club wants nothing to do with Cowes..... I can assure you that this is not the view of the Club, any of its officers or committees."

Rutter goes on to say, "unless the event [Admiral's Cup] travels around the world, the ORC Committee of ISAF would set up an alternative event against it which would probably lead to the failure of both events."

Thinking that the RORC had done enough to cut off the posse at the pass, Rutter will no doubt be dismayed to find two possible alternative events developing. It will be interesting indeed to see which will survive.