More challenging conditions with a 20-knot breeze, low visibility and damp conditions made for uncomfortable but exciting race conditions Wednesday for sailors and the race management team.
That won’t matter to the Irish team Headcase Bow 10. Cillian Dickson and his team won both races and are now level points with the low scoring Italian team La Superba helmed by Ignazio Bonnano.
Race 1 it was La Superba who got to the top mark first with Headcase rounding in fifth. Michael Goldfarb and his team on War Canoe from the USA were always in the top three rounding the windward mark but were disappointed to receive a black flag after crossing the finish in second. The subsequent request for redress regarding the black flag decision did not go the way of War Canoe or other members of the fleet who took a similar approach to the black flag they received. German team Jux helmed by Thomas Cramer had a fine and controlled race with good speed across the course and were rewarded with a solid podium. The race finished 1. Headcase, 2. La Superba, 3. Jux.
Race 2 was a dominant victory for Headcase, always leading from the front. War Canoe were totally fired up and rounded the windward mark in second but had to settle for a fifth-place finish. The French team of Jeronimo were third around the windward mark but were unable to finish inside the top 10. The positions changed a lot over the next two legs with the exception of Headcase who we super focused, and that focus was rewarded with a second bullet of the day. Another UK local team Mr Mann helmed by Shane Hewlett had a three-way battle for second over the line, but they managed to hold for second place to the delight of the local support and also receiving a huge cheer when he walked into his home club, Saltash Sailing Club, for the J/24 host club party. In third was Tony Parker of the USA in Bangor Packet who have quietly but consistently improved their already low scores to now sit in third overall. Headcase, La Superba and Bangor Packet are currently in the driving seat.
The current world youth U25 champions from the USA Saltine had a great day and moved up the rankings. And a nice story further back in the fleet was the UK teams Motley Crew helmed by Andy Willet and Jabberwocky helmed by Gail Berriman made huge performance gains in race 3, jumping 20 places which will be a welcome boost to their respective teams.
Event results can be found at https://www.sailwave.com/results/J24WorldChampionship2025.htm