Cillian Dickson has spoken of his pride after steering Headcase to Ireland’s first J/24 World Championship win in Plymouth. The Lough Ree Yacht Club sailor led from start to finish, sealing gold on 13 September.
“This championship means so much to us as a team,” Dickson said at the prizegiving. “After the disappointment of last year in Seattle, we’re incredibly proud to bring the World Championship home.”
Headcase’s amateur crew includes Ryan Glynn (Ballyholme), Sam O’Byrne (Howth), and Louis Molloy and Marcus Ryan (Mayo). It was their third Worlds campaign after near misses in 2022 and 2023.
Racing proved demanding, with delays and gusts topping 38 knots. Headcase delivered five race wins and a 2-1 finish on the final day to top the 50-boat fleet.
Irish boats were prominent across the standings. Bray’s Hard on Port took seventh, Courtown’s Snoopy’s J was 11th, and Sligo’s Blind Squirrel placed 14th.
Reports charted Headcase’s progress through the week — from taking the early lead to defending it after five races and holding firm after day four.
Crews from Wicklow, Greystones, Lough Erne and Carlingford also featured. More J/24 class reports are available on Afloat.ie.
The J/24 remains the world’s most popular keelboat, with over 5,500 launched since 1977. Teams of four to six sailors race the affordable design in fleets worldwide.
