From Dead Calm to Dead Heat | Day One – 2025 IRC National Championships

The 2025 IRC National Championship, part of the Royal Thames Yacht Club’s 250th Anniversary Regatta.

The 2025 IRC National Championships, part of the Royal Thames Yacht Club’s 250th Anniversary Regatta

RTYC 250th Anniversary Regatta © Paul Wyeth/RTYC

Racing on Day One of the 2025 IRC National Championships began under clear skies and glorious sunshine, but a lack of wind delayed the start for all classes. With the tide ebbing through midday, there wasn’t enough depth in the Solent for the larger boats, and the light, patchy breeze fell short of championship standards. However, by late afternoon, a steady south-easterly wind filled in, providing enough pressure and depth for the shallower-draft boats in IRC Three and IRC Four to complete two competitive races in the Solent.

David Frank’s J/112 Leon leads IRC Three but only by a single point. It’s all to play for in IRC Four with the top three teams all tied on points - Pelikanen leads on countback

RESULTS

J/112 Leon © Paul Wyeth/RTYC

IRC Three

Adam Gosling’s JPK 1080 Yes! won the first race of the day by just 36 seconds after IRC time correction from David Franks J/112 Leon. Rosie & Chuck Berry’s J/109 Jenie duckwalked onto the podium claiming third.

Leon fought back in Race 2, to take the race win from sistership, James Chalmers J/112 Happy Daize, which was second. Yes! was 22 seconds behind in third after IRC time correction. After two races, Leon leads IRC Three by just one point from Yes! with Happy Daize in third.

“Our strategy for the second race was very much about winning the pin end – we didn’t execute it properly in the first, but we nailed it in the second,” commented Leon’s David Franks. “That gave us better tide conditions and a bit more control tactically. The competition out there is incredibly tight – going up against the likes of Yes!, Genie, and Happy Daize makes for a proper contest. Adam (Gosling) is a formidable competitor with a top crew, and that always raises the level.

We had a close call at the first mark with Happy Daize – we were both on port and just managed to get inside them as we entered the zone. Moments like that define the race. The race committee did a great job finding wind and getting us off in tough conditions.

It’s all about the fine margins; I’ve done events before where we won everything without a fight—it wasn’t satisfying. This kind of racing, where you have to work for every inch, is far more rewarding. That’s what we’re here for: the battle, the tactics, the fun. You can’t beat that kind of challenge.” – David Franks, J/112 Leon

IRC Four

Duncan Peace’s Quarter Tonner Pacifist took the spoils in Race 1 by just 11 seconds after time correction from Ovington & Batchelor’s Half Tonner Headhunter. Third was Stuart Cranston Quarter Tonner Purple Haize.

Jamie McWilliam’s BB10 Pelikanen was just three seconds off the podium in fourth for Race 1 but stormed back in Race 2 to take the win by just 13 seconds after IRC time correction from Purple Haze. After two races, there is a three way tie in IRC Four between Pelikanen, Purple Haize and Headhunter. Pelikanen is the only boat in the top three with a race win and leads on countback.

“It was a classic Solent day—light breeze, strong tide, and a lot of good banter onboard” commented Jaimie McWilliam who has travelled from Hong Kong to compete. “We had a great mix of crew with Drew Taylor and Ian Chapman from Hong Kong, and Andy McClelland from London. Honestly, just being out there was fun. The social side ashore was spot-on too—old-school atmosphere, a really nice vibe in the race village. Racing-wise, we were nervous coming in, knowing this boat performs better in pressure, so to get anything out of the day was a huge plus. The breeze eventually settled around 125 degrees, between six and ten knots, and the tide wasn’t too punishing. We stuck to our strategy—start at the pin and get inshore—which worked well. That said, we did give away a couple of minutes with an unnecessary overlay, but that’s part of the game. It’s all about learning, laughing, and making sure whoever overlaid buys the beers! We’re in the mix with the two Quarter Tonners and the Half Tonners—Pacifist sailed a blinder in Race One. It’s tight, close stuff, which is what we came for. We’re definitely looking forward to what tomorrow brings.”

The forecast for the second day of the 2025 IRC Nationals is for medium to strong southwesterlies, which should produce fantastic action in the Solent. For more information about the Royal Thames Yacht Club’s 250th Anniversary Regatta including the social programme: Visit the Official Notice Board.