J/24 World Championship 2025 in Plymouth, UK - Overall

Cillian Dickson and crew on "Headcase" take the title on thrilling final day

18-20 knots of breeze and a 3-4m swell greeted the fleet for the final day of racing and the competitors looked excited with the possibility that they may get to use their genoas for once! The course was set south of Plymouth Sound breakwater and with minimal shipping movements the race officer Sean Semmens could set a good and uninterrupted course.

J/24 Worlds in Plymouth, UK - Day 5 - photo © Joe Woodyear & Chambers film & media

Going into the day it was always going to be a 4 way shootout for the title with the Irish team of Cillian Dickson in the driving seat overnight but in no way assured of victory as the very experienced American, Tony Parker and crew in "Bangor Packet" and fellow American Michael Goldfarb and crew in "War Canoe" were very close indeed. In 4th was "Gekko" from Japan and Koehei Ichikawa clearly had a plan to get on the podium.

The first race finished with the 4 top boats taking the 4 places with "Gekko" taking the win, "Headcase" taking a controlled second place and "Bangor Packet" just taking "War Canoe" on the line. Just after the first 4 finished a decent squall met the remainder of the fleet finishing making for a spectacular if at times slightly out of control fairground ride for some of the boats finishing. The spectators loved it!

J/24 Worlds in Plymouth, UK - Day 5 - photo © Joe Woodyear & Chambers film & media

The final race of the day was one of control, process and clear thinking from Cillian Dickson and his crew, who dominated the race and it was fitting that they won the last race and their 5th race of the series to take the title and it didn't take long for the champagne to flow and celebrations to start in earnest when "Headcase" was back behind the breakwater. Tony Parker and his crew had a very accomplished day with a 3rd and then 2nd to "Headcase" but ultimately they finished 7 points behind "Headcase" in 2nd. The other big story was the super aggressive "Gekko" the team from Japan won the first race of the day and they had calculated that they needed to attack "War Canoe" to get on the podium and that is exactly what they did as the 2 boats duelled their way across the course and into oblivion scoring a 43 and a 40 respectively. It was an amazing race to watch and one that will live long in the memory.

James Torr from the UK, a local boat was the best of the rest in 5th. The UK National champion was super pleased with his team's performance during the week in what proved to be a hugely competitive top half of the fleet. Sam Hopper and his crew on "Saltine" won back to back Youth Under 25 World Titles and are already looking forward at Melbourne, Australia in November 2026 to defend their titles. The young crew who were hosted locally were very focused and consistent throughout the week.

J/24 Worlds in Plymouth, UK - Day 5 - photo © Joe Woodyear & Chambers film & media

The week proved to be a wild adventure of consistent strong winds and big seas and both the sailors and race management teams will be looking forward to some time off to recover and reflect on a week of J24 excitement.

Overall Results: