In a regatta where Ireland’s Headcase, skippered by Cillian Dickson, held the lead all week, the all-Ireland crew clinched the J/24 World Championship at Plymouth Yacht Haven on Saturday (September 13th).
The Irish crew signed off with 2-1 on the final day to finish on 18 net points from nine races, one discard.
Tony Parker’s Bangor Packet (USA) took silver on 25 points. Kohei Ichikawa’s Gekko (JPN) rose to bronze after winning race eight.
Event media called it “a 4-way shoot-out for the podium spots,” adding that Headcase “held their nerve to take the crown.”
They reported Gekko’s plan was to “win the first race” and then “attack ‘War Canoe’,” which slipped to fourth overall.
Britain’s Majic (James Torr) was fifth and first local boat.
The U25 prize went to the American youth team Saltine, securing back-to-back titles.
Irish results were strong throughout the fleet.
Hard on Port (David Bailey) finished seventh with a 5-6 on the final day.
Snoopy’s J (Martin Mahon) placed 11th after an eighth in race nine.
Blind Squirrel (Colm O’Flaherty) took 14th; Il Riccio (JP McCaldin) 18th; Jupiter (Conor Haughton) 21st.
Further down, Hedgehog (Mark Usher) was 29th; Crazy Horse (Luke McBride) 41st; Proud Mary (Bernard McConville) 50th.
Results are provisional as of 16:23 on 13 September, with nine races sailed and one discard.
