The wind pressure remained in Plymouth on Thursday. The race management team had the opportunity to run two races within the relative protection of Plymouth Sound inside the breakwater. Plymouth Sound was still experiencing 25 knots gusting 30+ on occasion from a Westerly direction. After Wednesday’s flurry of black flag DSQs, the fleet was cautious not to collect more penalties in what is likely to be a one-discard series, and it was a clean day in that regard.
The big news of the day was that Tony Parker’s Bangor Packet of the USA continues the NASA-like countdown scoreline—he is just missing a fourth to complete the set 6,5,4,3,2,1. Thursday they were the top performing boat recording an impressive 1,2 to move into second overall on 11 points behind Cillian Dickson’s team from Ireland sailing Headcase, who themselves had a great day recording a 3,1 with a huge moment downwind in race 5 from the lead of the race. They were able to regain control and continue on to win the race. Michael Goldfarb’s team sailing War Canoe again had a super consistent day recording a pair of fourths. They now sit in third, not far behind Parker.
Ignazio Bonanno’s Italian team La Superba was disqualified in the protest room from race 5 at the first windward mark after colliding with Lynn Wolgast’s team from Germany sailing Derbe Kerle. Unfortunately, Derbe Kerle received considerable damage to her rudder and transom, and hope to see her back on the racecourse Friday.
Start of the day went to the team from Saltash UK, Jason Culmer’s Violent J. After barely making it off the dock after a heavy collision the previous day, they had what the Race Officer described as the best start of the regatta so far, nailing race 4 off the line and recording their best result.
Event results can be found at https://www.sailwave.com/results/J24WorldChampionship2025.htm
Images: Joe Woodyear & Chambers film & media