Irish Boat ‘Headcase’ wins the J/24 World Championship
Irish sailors have claimed a Gold medal at the J/24 Sailing World Championships in Plymouth, UK. The crew of ‘Headcase’, skippered by Cillian Dickson of Lough Ree Yacht Club, made history by becoming the first Irish crew to win the prestigious event. The crew of five held the lead throughout the week and signed off on the final day (Saturday 13 September) with a second and a first place to win the Gold in a 50-boat fleet.
The crew are made up of sailors from throughout the country including Ryan Glynn of Ballyholme Yacht Club, Sam O’Byrne of Howth Yacht Club and Louis Molloy and Marcus Ryan both of Mayo Sailing Club. This is their third attempt at a World Championship having just fallen short in Seattle last year.
Conditions in Plymouth were challenging throughout the week with postponements and many delays. The team maintained their lead, securing five race wins and held off challenges from the USA and Japan in gusts of up to 38.5 knots on the racecourse.
Speaking at the prizegiving, Skipper Cillian Dickson said: “This championship means so much to us as a team. First of all, the support we received coming back into the dock today was phenomenal. After the disappointment of last year, when boat damage on day one in Seattle took us out of contention and finishing just off the podium in fourth the year before that, we’re incredibly proud to be bringing the World Championship home this year.”
Headcase weren’t the only Irish team in contention, ‘Hard on Port’ from Bray Sailing Club finished seventh whilst ‘Snoopy’s J’ of Courtown Sailing Club finished in 11th ahead of Sligo’s ‘Blind Squirrell’ in 14th. There were also representatives from Wicklow Sailing Club, Greystones, Lough Erne and Carlingford at the event. Full results are available here - Results – J/24 Plymouth World Championship.
The J/24 is the most popular keelboat in the world, with some 5,500 boats sailing worldwide, and although it was designed in 1977, still attracts large fleets internationally. It is known as one of the most accessible sailboats due to its size and relatively low cost. Teams of four to six people usually sail them.