Auckland turned on a full range of conditions as the PredictWind A-Class Catamaran World Championships moved from practice to points racing this week. The fleets opened their World Championship campaigns on Tuesday (11 November) in a steady northeasterly, then returned today to a course ringed by rain squalls, fading breeze and sharp wind shifts. Three races now stand on the Open scoreboard, while the Classic fleet has completed five, with the best four to count.
PredictWind A-Class Catamaran Worlds 2025: Pre-Worlds set the pace in Auckland
The first day of racing began in promising fashion. A 10 to 12 knot NNE breeze swept across Castor Bay, with short wind-against-tide chop and enough pressure for clean starts. Both fleets completed two races before the wind eased. Many sailors reported that the early rhythm rewarded patient upwind angles and smooth downwind transitions rather than brute power, and the results reflected this balance. The weather remained steady until late afternoon, giving the regatta a tidy opening.
Today brought a different challenge. The morning began with moderate air, yet the breeze soon collapsed and the AP flag went up as the fleets drifted near the start area. Rain clouds built around the harbour. Large cells passed north and south, and the Race Officer paused repeatedly while the wind shifted through wide arcs. Late in the afternoon the breeze returned long enough for the third Open race and three Classic races. The work paid off, and both courses finished a demanding day.
In the Open foiling fleet, American sailor Ravi Parent (USA 76) now leads the championship after delivering a 1-3-1, two race wins and a third place for 5 points. Parent’s speed upwind and his ability to hold narrow lanes in the light patches gave him the edge. Australian sailor Darren Bundock (AUS 88) sits second on 8 points after a steady 2, 4 and 2, while Poland’s defending World Champion Jakub Surowiec (POL 41) holds third with 11 points. Australian speedster Adam Beattie (AUS 14) is a single point back in fourth, and Kiwi sailor Dave Shaw (NZL 270) sits fifth after a dramatic race-two win sandwiched between two difficult results in the shifting breeze.
Further down the order, Carolijn Brouwer (NED 888) remains the top woman in the Open fleet. Her day included clean mark roundings and organised boathandling in water that swung between calm and chaotic, although the big shifts pushed many mid-fleet sailors wide of their planned lanes. The fleet remains tightly packed, with positions likely to change quickly as the forecast settles.
The Classic fleet faced an equally complex day, yet a clear leader has emerged. Poland’s Jacek Noetzel (POL 1) produced five straight wins from five races. With one discard now applied, he leads the championship on 4 points. Australian sailor Jamie Jochhiem (AUS 956) sits second on 10 points after a run of two consistent second places. Three-time World Champion Andrew Landenberger (AUS 308) follows on his heels 11 points, with New Zealander Mike Drummond (NZL 287) close behind on 14 after a confident performance in today’s variable conditions. Spain’s Micky Todd (ESP 7) rounds out the top five on 22 points.
By the time sailors returned to the lawn at Milford Cruising Club, the talk centred on the weather as much as the results. Most agreed that Auckland had provided a thorough examination of technique and temperament. With more breeze forecast for the coming days, the fleets will likely shift into faster modes as the championship unfolds. Every boat has now faced a meaningful test, yet the gaps remain small enough for major movement once the wind steadies.
The Worlds continue tomorrow, with the fleets preparing for another changeable day on the Hauraki Gulf. The championship remains wide open.
