Ireland’s defending J24 World Champions Headcase have arrived in Melbourne, Australia, and begun training on Port Phillip ahead of the 2026 J24 World Championship which gets underway on 7 November 2026 at Sandringham Yacht Club.
Skippered by Cillian Dickson of Lough Ree Yacht Club, the boat are preparing to defend the title they made history winning in Plymouth in September 2025, becoming the first Irish team to claim the J24 World Championship title. The five-man crew also includes Ryan Glynn of Ballyholme Yacht Club, Marcus Ryan and Louis Mulloy of Mayo Sailing Club, and Sam O’Byrne of Howth Yacht Club.
Sandringham Yacht Club hosted two days of Pre-Worlds racing on 31 October and 1 November. Registration and measurement are taking place from 4 to 6 November, followed by an invitational race and opening ceremony on 6 November. The World Championship will run from 7 to 11 November, with five days of racing and ten races planned on Port Phillip.
Irish Sailing wishes the best of luck to the Irish team Headcase as they sail to defend their World Champion title over the next week on Australian waters.
Credit: Paul Gibbins Photography