Black Pearl

Stefan Jentzsch’s Botin 56 Black Pearl has an international crew managed by Marc Lagesse, a navigator for the America’s Cup, Maxi circuit and TP52 Class. Paul Standbridge is crew boss. The veteran British sailor has five round the world races to his name and has competed in over 15 editions of the Fastnet Race. Standbridge claims that the Admiral’s Cup will be his swansong. The Black Pearl crew has a highly experienced offshore team including Volvo Ocean Race winner Guy Salter and the highly experienced Abby Ehler who has five round the world campaigns in her CV. Italian offshore flair on Black Pearl comes from Corrado Rossignoli.

Abracadabra

Donald Thinschmidt’s Ker 43 Abracadabra from the United States will include local experts on board for the Admiral’s Cup. Multiple world champion sailors Andy Beadsworth and Simon Fry will compete, and both cut their teeth in the Admiral’s Cup on the same British team in 1993. British navigator Pete Selby is a Solent expert with Admiral’s Cup experience. Top Canadian sailors on Abracadabra are Curtis Florence, a multiple world champion and past Rolex Sailor of the Year for Canada, as well as two-time Olympian Brad Boston.