2025 IRC UK National Championships - Day 2
by Louay Habib / RORC 15 Jun 17:54 NZST
13-15 June 2025
IRC Zero Start in the 2025 IRC National Championships on day 4 of the Royal Thames Yacht Club 250th Anniversary Regatta © Paul Wyeth /
www.pwpictures.com
IRC Zero Goes to the Wire
In Race 1, Karl Kwok's TP52 Beau Geste scored a dramatic victory, overlapped through the finish line with Stefan Jentzch's Botin 56 Black Pearl. Beau Geste took the gun and the race win after IRC time correction. The final race podium position was even tighter. One second separated Caro, Gladiator, and Jolt 3 after IRC time correction. Just six seconds separated the top five boats after IRC time correction.
In Race 2, Peter Harrison's TP52 Jolt 3 smashed it, taking the gun and the race win after time correction by 41 seconds after IRC time correction. Second was Max Klink's Botin 52 Caro, just 17 seconds ahead of Tony Langley's TP52 Gladiator C in third.
In Race 3, Caro took the win by just over a minute on time correction from Beau Geste. Niklas Zennstrom's Carkeek 52 Rán was third by just seven seconds after IRC time correction.
For the championship, Caro leads after three races by a single point from Beau Geste with Jolt 3 in third, just two points ahead of Gladiator C.
"We're really happy with today's performance, but wow—it was intense! The level of competition out there was just awesome. Tight manoeuvres, great breeze, and a seriously high-quality fleet—you honestly couldn't ask for more. We were over the line by a couple of seconds at the start of the first race and had to come back, so nerves were definitely in play, but we recovered well and still finished third. That kind of racing keeps you on your toes. It's demanding, but also incredibly rewarding. The boat felt great in the conditions, and we're really enjoying the challenge. This is what we love—proper racing!" - Max Klink, Caro
IRC One
In Race 1, there was a commanding start to the series with all five contenders within seconds of each other on the water and just two minutes separating first and fifth on IRC corrected time. Karl Kwok's Carkeek 40 Beau Ideal, taking part in its first ever race, was the victor by 56 seconds after time correction from Sandra Askew's Cape 31 Flying Jenny. James Murray's B&C 42 Callisto took third.
In Race 2, Beau Ideal doubled their bullets tally, setting the pace to claim the gun and the race win by 87 seconds after IRC time correction from Callisto. Piere Casiraghi's Carkeek 40 Jolt 6, skippered by Matt Adams, was 13 seconds behind Callisto in third. Chris Frost's Carkeek 42 AMP-lifi was just four seconds off the podium in fourth.
In Race Three, Beau Ideal scored their third race victory in a row, highly impressive as the boat is brand new and never raced before. Second was Jolt 6 with Callisto just five seconds behind in third. Beau Ideal is the championship leader by five points from Callisto. Jolt 6 is in third for the series, just two points ahead of AMP-lifi.
IRC Two
In Race 1, a strong performance by Django JPK, skippered by Michele Ivaldi, resulted in a bullet for the Italian JPK 1180 by 83 seconds after time correction. Tim Webb's Swan 45 Luna was second, squeezing out Seb Blair's King 40 Cobra into third by just seven seconds after IRC time correction.
In Race 2, the 14-strong IRC 2 fleet produced the closest race of the day with less than two minutes separating the top seven boats after IRC time correction. Django JPK scored their second bullet of the championships by just nine seconds from Richard Powell's First 40 Rogan Josh. Third was Luna, just two seconds ahead of Andrew McIrvine's Ker 39 La Reponse and 16 seconds ahead of Tom Kneen's JPK 1180 Sunrise IV. Richard Matthews Corby 36 Oystercatcher 36 and Cobra were also in the hunt for the podium.
Race 3 was won by Django JPK, completing a hat-trick of bullets for the day. Sunrise IV was second with Per Roman's Garm completing the podium for a trio of JPK 1180s. With one more day of racing, Django JPK has all but secured the title. However, mathematically five boats can still win and will fight tooth and nail for the class podium including Luna who are second plus four boats within two points of each other for third: Sunrise IV, Rogan Josh, Oystercatcher 36 and Moana.
IRC Three
After two races completed on the first day, David Franks' J/112 Leon claimed the win in Race 3 on Day Two, after yet another tight duel with Adam Gosling's JPK 1080 Yes!. Third for Race 3 was James Chalmers' J/112 Happy Daize, 30 seconds ahead after IRC time correction from HOD 35 Zarafa owned by Iwan Vermeirsch and Brita Van Rossum.
In Race 4, Zarafa won their first race of the championships from Yes! with David Lean J/99 Jackpot made the podium for the first time. Yes! was the winner of Race 5 from Happy Daize with Leon in third. With the discard rule applying after five races, Yes! leads the championship by one point from Leon.
Race 3 was won by Aeolus, Richard Hargreaves classic 30 Square metre from Jamie McWilliams's BB10 Pelikanen. Ovington & Batchelor's Half Tonner Headhunter was third, just 23 seconds behind Pelikanen. The contest for third was fierce with Quokka 9, and Prospero of Hamble within a single minute of Headhunter.
Race 4 was won by Pelikanen by a comfortable margin from Aeolus. Third for the race was Stuart Cranston's Quarter Tonner Purple Haze. Pelikanen was the winner of Race 5 ahead of a close battle among the 'Tonners' in the class. Purple Haze was second with Headhunter in third. After five races, Pelikanen leads IRC Four for the championships with one day to race.
This year's RORC IRC National Championships has one of the most international fleets in its history with teams from all over Europe, North America, Asia and Oceania. Karl Kwok's Team Beau Geste had a spectacular day at the championships with TP52 Beau Gest lying second by a single point in IRC Zero and the new Beau Ideal winning all three races today in IRC One. To top off the day for the 'Honkers', Jamie McWilliams Pelikanen is winning IRC Four.
Gavin Brady, on behalf of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club team for the Admiral's Cup next month:
"We came here to proudly represent Hong Kong and show just how vibrant and committed the sailing scene is back home. Sailing in Hong Kong didn't just survive Covid—it actually grew. While some places saw participation drop off, in Hong Kong the enthusiasm never faded. Events like the Round the Island Race have the same buzz and energy as major regattas elsewhere in the world. There's a strong culture of racing, learning, and just getting out on the water. That spirit really drives us as a team.
But I'll be honest—this regatta has been intense. The level of competition is sky-high. These are some of the best sailors you'll find anywhere, and the Solent doesn't give you anything for free. The wind, the tide—it all plays a part. And when it's blowing 20 knots and you're going toe-to-toe with world-class teams, you definitely feel the pressure. That's when you go back to basics, focus on the fundamentals, and trust your team. For us, it's not just about results—it's about being part of this level of sailing, learning from it, and showing that Hong Kong belongs in that conversation. We're proud to be here."
For more information about the Royal Thames Yacht Club's 250th Anniversary Regatta, including all class results and the social programme, visit the Official Notice Board.