The J/70 World Championship Buenos Aires 2025 was far more than an exceptional week of competition: it was a celebration of a shared spirit, the result of years of dedication, and a testament to the power of a passion for life on the water and sailing, a passion that unites sailors from all over the world.
For the Yacht Club Argentino, hosting this event has been a source of great pride. With more than a century of history deeply tied to the development of yachting in our country, our club once again became the stage for an international gathering that brought together sailors from five continents, in an atmosphere of camaraderie, professionalism, and friendship, with the magnificent Río de la Plata as its backdrop.
Every world championship leaves its mark. In this case, beyond the unforgettable images of racing on our waters, we will remember an entire community that came together to welcome the competitors with open arms. Our technical team, staff, volunteers, and the Yacht Club Argentino family all worked with dedication and enthusiasm to make everything run smoothly. To all of them, we extend our heartfelt thanks.
Teams from Germany, Argentina, Australia, Bermuda, Brazil, Chile, China, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United States, and Uruguay gave the championship a truly global character. The high level of competition, the sportsmanship, and the spirit of friendship that filled both water and shore reflect the very best of the values we share.
This book seeks to capture that energy. Through these photographs, we will once again feel the wind, the sound of the sails, the smiles after each race, and the excitement of the podiums. Above all, it bears witness to an event that reaffirmed our belief that sailing is much more than a sport it is a way of life, a school of character, and a network that transcends borders.
With gratitude and pride, I invite you to turn these pages and relive what was, without a doubt, an unforgettable week for the Yacht Club Argentino and for all of us who love this sport.
Alberto Urani Yacht Club Argentino
Commodore.
I’m sure this collection will stand as a tribute to the historic first J/70 World Championship ever held in the Southern Hemisphere, an unforgettable, world-class experience both on the water and ashore, superbly organized by the Yacht Club Argentino and the Argentine J/70 Class.
On behalf of the International J/70 Class, I’m deeply thankful and honored for the quality, warmth, and hospitality we experienced, and proud to have contributed in some way to make it happen.
Pedro Garra
International
J/70
Class President
Preparatives
Practice Race
Opening Ceremony
DAY1
Opening Day at J/70 World Championship “
In another first for the International J/70 Class, the 2025 World Championship kicked off Tuesday at Yacht Club Argentino. This is the 11th edition of the World Championship, but the first in South America. 71 teams hit the waters of the Río de la Plata with renewed excitement as two races jumpstarted the run for the title.
Local knowledge directed race one when Fernando Gwozdz’s Petro Green Racing (ARG) went wire to wire and Juan Diego Figueroa’s Homero (ARG) was runner-up. Continuing their hot streak after winning the Corinthian World Championship last month, Alec Cutler’s Hedgehog (BER) placed third. Female helms made a statement in fifth and six places: Margaret McKillen’s Magatron and Laura Grondin’s Dark Energy (both USA). Winds came from the Southeast around 12-15 knots with choppy waters upwind and mode changing downwind in planing conditions.
A wind shift caused a short postponement before race two as the breeze ebbed off a bit. A pack of Americans charged forward, led by Grondin’s Dark Energy (USA). The leeward gates were quite busy with multi-lingual commotion. Teams used wing on wing maneuvers to slay the downwinds. Samuel Albrecht’s El Enemigo (BRA) and Brian Keane’s Savasana (USA) took the silver and bronze spots in race two.
“We had great boat speed all day. A good start, good speed—makes for a good race,” summarized Grondin. After an OCS in Race 1, Grondin’s team clawed back to a top finish with raw speed, then nailed Race 2. “I don’t sail; I race sailboats,” she stated.
Top five overall:
1st: Laura Grondin, USA Dark Energy, 7 points
2nd: Samuel Albrecht, BRA El Enemigo, 11 points
3rd: Travis Odenbach, USA Honeybadge, 18 points
4th: Peter Duncan, USA Relative Obscurity, 18 points
5th: Haroldo Solberg, BRA Viking Oceanpact, 18 points
Leading the 30-boat Corinthian Division is Ducasse Sailing Team (CHI). They are in sixth overall, joined in the top 10 by fellow Corinthian Cutler’s Hedgehog in seventh. Leading the nine-boat One Pro Division is 707 (ARG).
DAY2
Epic Second Day of J/70 World Championship “
Sailors from the 71 teams at the J/70 World Championship were giddy on Wednesday after two races in wet and wild conditions on the Río de la Plata. Under sunny skies, 15-18 knots of breeze paired with a running river current to equal a lively day off the shores of Yacht Club Argentino, as now four races are in the books. A new leader has emerged in Travis Odenbach’s Honeybadger (USA) and also two fresh names in the top five—Brian Keane’s Savasana and Richard Witzel’s Rowdy (both USA). Cate Muller Terhune’s Casting Couch (USA) ascended to sixth overall, leading the group of five female helms.
“The Honeybadger team likes to have fun and keep it loose. It’s unique to have this amount of talent on a boat that also happen to be really good friends,” said Odenbach.
In race three, Odenbach’s Honeybadger (USA) made it look easy in the heavy air. Bruno Bethlem’s Aretê (BRA) and Peter Duncan’s Relative Obscurity (USA) also excelled in the dramatic weather, as boats churned rapidly on the downwinds.
The exhilarating racing lasted into race four where local knowledge ruled as Guillermo Parada’s Nildo (ARG) took line honors, ahead of Keane’s Savasana (USA) and John Heaton’s Empeiria (USA).
Look for loads of shuffling on Thursday when the discard kicks in.
Top five overall:
1st: Travis Odenbach, USA Honeybadger, 24 points
2nd: Peter Duncan, USA Relative Obscurity, 25 points
3rd: Haroldo Solberg, BRA Viking Oceanpact, 38 points
4th: Brian Keane, USA Savasana, 40 points
5th: Richard Witzel, USA Rowdy, 46 points
Continuing atop the 30-boat Corinthian Division is Ducasse Sailing Team (CHI). They are in eighth overall and ommanding the nine-boat One Pro Division is 707 (ARG).
DAY3
J/70 World Championship Passes Halfway Mark “
The roller coaster scorelines of the J/70 World Championship started to settle in Thursday as the discard race came into effect with now six races scored. The day began as a light air affair, the opposite of the initial two days, but picked up to a steadier pace for the day’s second contest. Laura Grondin’s Dark Energy (USA) returned to the top of the leaderboard, able to toss a prior 40th and land at 37 net points just after the halfway point of the Championship at Yacht Club Argentino. Haroldo Solberg’s Viking Oceanpact (BRA) moved into the runner-up position, only two points behind.
The Ducasse Sailing Team (CHI) of Andrés Ducasse, Ignacio Ducasse, Rodrigo Ducasse and Francisco Ducasse is keeping hold of the 30-boat Corinthian Division. Winners of the 2021 Worlds Corinthian division, they remain eighth overall in Buenos Aires, aiming for a top ten position. “It’s a family business, there are seven of us,” said Andrés Ducasse. “My younger brother is our coach. My older brother is our tactician. My dad helps keep everyone calm onboard. We’ve been sailing the J/70 for 10 years, and my brother and I raced 470 in the Rio Olympics. So yes, we’re Corinthians, but we’ve got hours on the water.”
Light air tactics determined race 5, won by Luis Albert’s Patakin (ESP) with John Heaton’s Empeiria (USA) and Grondin’s Dark Energy extending on the rest of the 71-boat fleet.
A little more breeze of 10-12 knots made for hectic mark roundings in race 6 when Samuel Albrecht’s El Enemigo (BRA), Doug Rastello on Brutus III (GBR) and Renato Cunha Faria’s Tô Nessa (BRA) cracked the top three.
Top five overall:
1st: Laura Grondin, USA Dark Energy, 37 points
2nd: Haroldo Solberg, BRA Viking Oceanpact, 39 points
3rd: Peter Duncan, USA Relative Obscurity, 42 points
4th: Travis Odenbach, USA Honeybadger, 44 points
5th: Bruno Bethlem, BRA Aretê, 49 points
DAY4
Shakeup Day at J/70 World Championship “
It was a sunny, beautiful day on the Río de la Plata with a ripping tide that challenged the 71 boats at the J/70 World Championship. The standings continue to invert throughout this series, with eight of 10 planned races recorded. The final shootout is set for Saturday at Yacht Club Argentino, after another new leader has materialized: Bruno Bethlem’s Aretê (BRA) with 68 net points, eight ahead of Doug Rastello helming Charles Thomson’s Brutus III (GBR). Friday’s conditions could be referred to as a seesaw—when winds of 6-8 knots combined with significant current to test crews homing in on their 2025 World Champion.
“The day was quite good. We were not too aggressive in the settings so we could manage the tricky conditions of Buenos Aires,” said the new regatta leader. “My team? We’re all friends. We have been sailing in this Class for a long time together. They deserve this. I’m happy for them. We have no expectations. We’re just here to sail. We don’t think expectations are good, so we don’t make them. We just go out there every day and try to sail our best.”
Race seven saw Richard Witzel’s Rowdy (USA) forcing a gybe at the finish line to take the win over Mauro Roversi’s Jcurve (ITA) and Filip Engelbert’s Elvis (SWE).
After a brief postponement to reset the line, race eight was off with many on port tack right after the start. As boats turned downwind, a parade of spinnakers lit up the left side of the course. Cate Muller-Terhune’s Casting Couch (USA) earned the victory, ahead of Nuno Espirito Santo Silva’s Bábá (POR) and Guillermo Parada’s Nildo (ARG).
Top five overall:
1st: Bruno Bethlem, BRA Aretê, 68 points
2nd: Doug Rastello, GBR Brutus II, 76 points
3rd: Peter Duncan, USA Relative Obscurity, 80 points
4th: Laura Grondin, USA Dark Energy, 81 points
5th: Martin Dent, GBR Jelvis, 87 points
The Ducasse Sailing Team (CHI) endured a tough day to maintain advantage in the 30-boat Corinthian Division.
History Made at J/70 World Championship “ DAY5
After ten races over five days, shifting tides and reshuffled leaderboards, the 2025 J/70 World Championship came to a dramatic close at Yacht Club Argentino. Laura Grondin and her team Dark Energy (USA) made history, becoming the first helmswoman to win it.
Family values prevailed in the Corinthian division; Andrés Ducasse’s Ducasse Sailing Team (CHI) claimed top Corinthian honors in a heartfelt finish that brought the crowd to its feet for a father, four sons onboard, and a son coaching.
The outcome was decided in the final moments of the final race, but it took years to build to this moment. “It’s been a five-year run,” said Grondin. “None of this happens by yourself. It takes a team. What makes us world champion? The ability to be resilient. We’ve stood on a lot of podiums, but being first is different. It just is.”
The J/70 World Champion title is one of the most coveted in sailing — and now it belongs to Grondin and her team of tactician Taylor Canfield, back-to-back champion Ted Hackney, Ian Liberty, coach Robby Bisi, and husband Rick Grondin.
For the first time in Class history, the J/70 World Championship was held in South America. South American teams earned four out of the top five positions and swept the Corinthian top five.
“As the father of these kids, I’m grateful to God, grateful to sailing, and grateful for having taught my children and watched them become such excellent sailors. Above all, I thank my sons for the opportunity to compete by their side,” said Corinthian champion Ducasse. “We’ve done five Worlds and many South American championships, and this one has been the best organized of them all.”
“I’m so stoked to be the first female driver to win this, and I want there to be many more,” said Grondin. “I hope this is just the beginning. There were five helmsmen at this event, which is remarkable but we need to have more. To all the women who competed on any boat: my shout-out to you. Keep going!!”
OVERALL RESULTS:
Dark Energy USA
Laura Grondin
Taylor Canfield
Ian Liberty
Edward Hackney
Nildo ARG
Guillermo Parada
Mariano Parada
Jorge Emilio EngelhardJuan
“I’m here to win,” Grondin told the
Class earlier this week.
“Someone once asked me
if
it’s my goal to beat the other women. I said, ‘I’m out to beat everybody.’ That’s what it is.”
