J/24 World Championship 2025 in Plymouth - Who to watch out for
by J/24 Worlds 3 Sep 2025 18:51 BST
6-14 September 2025
J/24 UK Nationals at Brixham © James Mills
As we approach the 2025 J/24 World Championship, 250 sailors from 12 countries and 5 continents are assembling in Plymouth with their eyes on the prize. A good time, then, to look at the front runners and likely top competition for the event.
Headcase - IRL 4247
Popular Irish team Headcase, buoyant from winning their third consecutive European Championship have to be in contention for a Worlds win in 2025. Familiar with Plymouth, this team from across Ireland have cleaned up across the continent, and following an unfortunate collision at the 2024 edition in Seattle can taste the blood in the water. Is 2025 their year?
J-Bond - HUN 37
Tomai Balazs' team are one of the few professional teams entered in the 2025 Worlds. Another top European boat, boasting top results from international events, J-Bond are the only Hungarian boat in Plymouth.
Tinto - AUS 5386
The top-placed Australian boat to cross the world to the UK is Steve Wright's Tinto. Chartering a good British boat, we are pleased to have 4 Aussie teams with us in the UK!
Bangor Packet - USA 58
J veteran Tony Parker's Bangor Packet has been shipped from the US across the globe to race in Plymouth next week. Incredibly experienced, two-time World Champion Will Welles is on board; is this the time for Bangor Packet?
Jab - AUS 4788
One point behind Tinto at the Australian Nationals, Warren Slater is another top Australian boat that has made the trip to the UK, prior to the Melbourne Worlds next year.
MaJic - GBR 4248
The recently crowned UK National Champion, James Torr's MaJic have progressed to the front of the UK J fleet since 2016. Following a closely fought battle for the 2025 Nationals, this local boat is one of the UK's best prospects for success in the 2025 Worlds.
Tata Patagonia - ARG 5453
This top Argentinian team have been out on the water already in Plymouth getting a handle on the local conditions. Chartering JEDI (which used to be JJ ONE) this South American team could be a deadly combination of team and boat!
Gekko - JPN 5450
Kohei Ichikawa's Gekko are another World Championship staple. 3rd at the Seattle event in 2024, they were last seen in Plymouth at the European's in 2016.
Ffold - GBR 4269
Recently displaced British National Champion, Nick Mcdonald's Ffold, driven by Dave Hale was 2nd at the 2022 Europeans, and whilst not on the international circuit for a few years is a formidable boat on the racetrack. It is likely that the Ffold team have unfinished business with James Torr's MaJic, so look out for them on the race track!
WarCanoe - USA 5399
6th in Seattle last year, WarCanoe are another hot US boat. Equipped with reigning J/24 World Champion Travis Odenbach on the side, WarCanoe could well offer strong competition for the prospect of another US world champion.
La Superba - ITA 416
The Italian Military were one of the last boats to enter, but that is not to say they are going to be last on the course. Always at the serious end of the Worlds fleet, most recently they were 8th in Seattle. Is a win in their home continent on the cards?
Follow the J/24 Worlds, hosted by Plym Yacht Club and Saltash Sailing Club on Instagram and Facebook.
Event website: j24worlds2025.com